up with the Hand and gaze at their Surprizers till knock'd on the head with Sticks From the salt-Salt-Water beating against the Cliffs a Froth or Scum remains in some Places which the heat of the Sun so purifies that it becomes white and good Salt Some of the Mountains yield Bole Armoniack and a fat Earth like Terra Lemnia The Sea will answer the pains of a patient Fisherman who must use an Angle not a Net because of the foul Ground and beating of the Sea The chief are Mackrels Roaches Carps but differing in colour from those among us Eels as big as a Mans Arm and well-tasted Crabs Lobsters Oysters of as good a rellish as our English and very good Mussles Yet all these Conveniences have not brought thither any setled Colony the King of Portugal as they say not permitting any of his Subjects to dwell there lest they should appropriate it to themselves The Cape de Verd or Salt-Islands THe Cape de Verd Islands are so call'd for their nearness to Cape Verd on the Main Coast of Africa but the Portuguese name them Ilhas Verdes Green Islands because the Sea thereabouts is always cover'd with green Weeds so thick that one can scarce discern the Water and the Ships can hardly Sail through them They are also commonly known by the name of the Salt-Islands because of the many Salt-Pans especially in Ilha del Sal Boavista Mayo and St. Jago Some take them for the Gorgons in the Atlantick Sea spoken of by Mela others for the Gorgades of Pliny an ancient Dwelling-place as the Poets feign of three Sisters the Daughters of Forkus viz. Medura Sthenio and Euryale and some stick not to believe that they were antiently call'd Hesperides from the neighboring Cape of Hespiere mention'd by Ptolomy They lie over against the Main Coast of Africa Situation between Cabo Blank and Cabo Verd from the nineteenth to the fifteenth degree of North-Latitude about two and forty Miles from the Shore Writers differ about their number very frequently Number for some reckon them twelve others eleven some nine but most agree upon ten generally known by the corrupt Portuguese names as follows Ilha del Sal Ilha Bovista Ilha Mayo Ilha del St. Jaga Ilha del Fogo Ilha del Brava Ilha del St. Niklaos Ilha del St. Lucie Ilha del St. Vincent and Ilha del St. Antonio besides some other nameless Islands The most Westerly is St. Antonio next those of St. Vincent and St. Lucie and the most Easterly Boavista All these or at least some of them are said to have been discover'd in the Year Fourteen hundred and forty by a Genoes call'd Anthonio Nolli thou Jarrik affirms the Portuguese had that honor six years after whereas Sanutus gives it to a Venetian call'd Lovis Extracted out of the House of Cadamosto sent abroad by the Infanta of Portugal to discover new Countreys The Salt-Island Salt-Island or Ilha del Sal lies with its South end on the North-Latitude of sixteen degrees and eight and thirty minutes and with the South-East Point in sixteen degrees and forty minutes It shews coming out from the Canaries or out of the North afar off very high like a Hill but nearer appears low On the North side runs a River and in the South-West a small Haven and close by that another small Island A Musket shot to the Southward of the West Point where by a long Sandy Valley fresh Water cometh out of the Mountains is a good Road for Ships Buena The Island Boavista or Boavista that is a pleasant sight perhaps for its pleasant appearance afar off at Sea they make its North Point eight Miles and its South seven Miles from the Salt-Island It may be distinguish'd at Sea from the Salt-Island by the many white Banks on the North Coast which the other hath not on that side twenty Miles some have guess'd but none know certainly its circumference There is a long River which runs from the North end North-East and North-East and by East a whole Mile and some hold that it runs into the Sea with mighty Breaks to the great hazard of adventuring Ships without a skilful Pilot. IN SULE PROMONTORII VIRIDIS Nispanis ISSAS DE CABO VERDE Belgis DE SOUTE EYLANDEN There shoots also another Rieff from the South-Point with some Rocks above and some under Water about a Mile and a half long East and East and by North from the Point Under the South-West Point where the Shore spreads West South-West and East North-East is a good Haven wherein Ships may Ride in fifteen or sixteen Fathom Water very good ground Mayo lieth eight or nine Miles South South-Westward from Boavista being the least of all and not above seven Miles in circuit It hath within some sharp Mountains and on the North side a Plain a Mile broad where a Rieff at the North-East Point shoots a good way from the Shore and likewise another to the Westward both which make a dangerous passage for Ships The common Harbor stands at the South-West side of the Shore where Ships Ride in fifteen or sixteen Fathom Water with a Sandy bottom and have the West Point of the Island North and by West and the South end of the Island St. Jago South-West On the North side lieth behind a black Point a convenient Harbor neighbour'd on the East side by a Village of ten or twelve houses The Island of St. Jago the famousest and biggest of all those of Cape de Verd Island St. Jago contains in length about twelve Miles spreading North-West and South-East at the South-East Point you come into the Road of the Island Mayo being five Miles broad From the South-East Point the Shore spreads two Miles South-West where the City Praya signifying The Strand hath its scituation on a convenient place between two Mountains on a little rising Summit surrounded with two Rivers which falling into the Sea make two Harbors one call'd Porto de Praya a spacious Bay where a hundred Ships may Ride at Anchor in fourteen Fathom Water within Musquet Shot of the Shore with a defence from the Winds Beyond Porto de Praya towards the City lieth an Out-Point in Portuguese call'd Cabo de Tubarao and North-Westward from this Cape the other Haven by the Portuguese call'd Porta Riebeirra Korea very convenient because lying between two Mountains whose middle shoots thorow by a River which takes original two Miles from thence and falls into the Sea by a Mouth a Bowe shot wide not far off which more Northward appears St. Maries Haven Jarrik places in this Island a City call'd St. Thomas seated conveniently but that 's uncertain yet the Town of St. Jago may be seen being the Metropolis of this and the other Islands and the residence of the Portugal Bishop Somewhat more Westerly on a Point a Fort or Castle shews it self two Miles from Porto de Praya and North-Westward from thence you come to Porto de Canisos
Sea-god or rather some Antike Prince Oceanus Xenophon Ogygia from †An Egyptian King Ogyges Herodotus names it from the Nile Potamitis that is River-land Lucian in Greek Melambolos from the darkness of the Soil several Writers and the bordering Moors stile this Region Ethiopia or the Land of Chus Homer will have it to be Hefestia from Hefestes or Vulcan The Modern names the Modern Turks call it El-Kebit or Cover'd-land the Arabian Mesra the Caldeans Mesrai the Assyrians Misri the Moors Gabara and Mesra the Romans from Augustus Caesar Augustanica but the antient Inhabitants call it after Ham the Son of Noah Hamia Lastly the Jews stile this Countrey Mizraim from Mizraim the Son of Ham being there the first Plantet The later Assyrians call the Egyptians Egoptes and the Mahumetans call the Christians there El-hibit and Elcupti sometimes leaving out the Article El contracting to Cupti or Ecupti but the Moors call them plain Giptu or Gibitu Herodotus makes Egypt a Present from the Nile Egypt covered with water being all Sea formerly so conjecturing from the various shells found on Summits and more rising grounds from the brackishness of the water in Pits Ponds and Trenches from the dusky soil much differing from the Neighbouring Territories but more especially from the Nile Pillar whereon formerly flowing eight Degrees prognosticated fertility when in his time rising to * Heretofore sixteen Cubits was the most it attained to as is to be seen in that Image of Nilus having sixteen Children playing about it brought from thence and Dedicated by Vespasian in the Temple of Peace but since that at Cairo it hath usually risen 23. particularly in 1610. Mr. Ge◠Sandys sixteen gave but a doubtful conjecture of a plentiful Harvest Such and the like instances not improbable intimate that the greatest part of Egypt especially where descending from the Mountains about Gran Caire it stretcheth down towards the Sea lying annually under the overflowing of the Nile rais'd its depress'd Morass from the sediments of these pudly inundations the River leaving in his retreat the fertile plunder brought from the High Lands upon the Low Countreys which mud and marling slime filling up stagnated ponds and plashes when dry'd into a swarf improv'd the soil for manuring and better confirm'd for Plantation It is to be supposed that much of it was then covered with water Most Writers with Aristotle concur in this assertion and Homer also seems to hint the same mentioning onely Thebes of this most rich and populous Countrey The Boundaries of Egypt according to the variety of Writers The Boundaries are diversly set forth Scaliger with some few placing part of Arabia with the Gulf on the East the Ethiopian Wildes and Mountains to the South the Desarts of Lybia Westward and the Mid-land Sea North. Others prescribe different limits But Ptolomy though he would seem not to meddle much in this matter yet when more nearly considered we may find him in some manner agreeing with the former bounding it Westward with Marmarica and the inner Lybia to the East with the Red Sea and part of Judea Southerly with Ethiopia and on the North with the Mid-land Sea by which Description he hath rectifyed the mistakes of sundry antient Geographers who accounted Egypt as we have said a part distinct from the other three the then known Regions of the World The Africans themselves who should know their own Countrey best bound Egypt on the South with Nubia on the North with the Mediterranean now the Sea of Damasco the Arabian Gulf washing the East and Alvahat fronting the West But Maginus a very able Geographer gives it for borders the Desarts of Arabia East the Lybian Mountains and Desarts of Barka and Nubia West Ethiopia or the Abyssines Countrey the Wastes of Bugie and Cataracts of Nile South And the Mid-land Sea North. And herewith in effect agreeth Marmol By all which it may appear that Egypt is encompassed with sandy Desarts but where it touches the Mid-land Sea Easterly towards the Red Sea lyes the Country of * The regal Metropolis was also called Thebes destroyed by Cambyses eighty furlongs long and built all upon Vaults Qua centum portarum sunt ducenti autem per unamquamque Viri egrediantur cum equis curribus Vbi multa in domibus opes reconditae jacent Hom. 11.9 Nor Thebes so much renown'd Whose Courts with unexhausted wealth abound Where through a hundred Gates with Marble Arch To battel twenty thousand Chariots march Thebes whose Wilderness being of three or four days journey in former ages becoming a retreat for divers Recluse Orders of Christians contained many Towns which were far better furnished with Monasteries and Cloysters than Houses ¶ THe Desarts of Barka Westward are a tract of ground of fifteen days journey where stood the Temple of Jupiter Hammon to whom Alexander the Great affecting the honour to be stiled his Son gave a Solemn visit Beyond the Red Sea to the South from Caire is a great Wilderness extending even to Judea and supposed to be the same wherein the Israelites made their wandering peregrination of forty years The ground here is not surfac'd with yellow Sand as that of Sahid in Egypt where the stupendious Pyramids and the Mummies so fam'd among us are to be seen but with a kind of soil whose germinating faculty or moisture being utterly exhausted with perpetual and excessive heats leaves no products unless here and there an inconsiderable shrub Another sandy Desart and more dangerous Mummies found stretches it self between Caire and the well-known Village Delbogui twenty eight days journeys and destitute of all accommodation where many casual Mummies are found supposed to be Travellers perishing there under accumulated drifts of Sand raised by sudden Tempests but now to avoid such eminent hazards all that journey those ways are convey'd in close Wooden Boxes which neither air nor light transpierceth otherwise than through small crannies ¶ THe divisions of Egypt are as various Egypt how divided as the opinions of Authors are differing Jaques Albert reckons thirteen Provincial Jurisdictions by the Inabitants called Kasssiffs or Meltoscemines six of which viz. the Kasssiffs of Girgio or Sahid Manfelout Benesuef Fiam Gize Bouhera or Baera lye toward the West from the Nile the other seven as Garbia Menoufia Mansoura Kallioubith Minio Cherkeffi and Kattia wholly to the Eastward The Kassiffe of Girgio or Sahid Kassiffes thirteen the first of the Western Provinces is a vast tract sub-divided into twelve or fourteen lesser Governments call'd there Kassifillix whereof every one hath its particular Regent or Lieutenant About a hundred years since this was accounted as a distinct Kingdom for the Government whereof a Bassa with the title of Vice-roy was usually sent thither from the Grand Seigneur at Constantinople but of late brought under the Bassa of Cairo who sends thither a Sanjacke as his Deputy The Kassiffe of Manfelout joyns to that of Girgio
Travel from Cana over the fore-mention'd Sandy Desart There are many Granaries for the reception of Corn brought thither from Cana. It is probable that Livius Sanutus says that this Haven is that of the Old City Berenice because they lye in the very same elevation yet some will have it to be Miosormus There is also Conza formerly Metacompsus not far from the City Asna Conza on the Southermost borders of Egypt some of the Antients placed Elephantis or Elephantina of which at this day the name onely remains The last City to the South of Egypt lying on the Nilus is Asna formerly call'd Siena but got the name Asna from the Arabians for the word Siena being the same with the Arabian Zeyâ—â—a which signifies Foul Sanutus lib. 9. they thought the City too fair to bear that Name and therefore chang'd Siena into Asna that is Fair the City indeed being very beautiful the Romans wasted most part of it but it hath since been much more stately rebuilt by the Mahumetans The Inhabitants drive a subtle Trade in the Kingdom of Nubia partly in Vessels sailing up the Nile and partly by Land through the Desart by which way of Transportation they are become considerable in Cattle Corn and Money In the City which is of a large extent and by the Moors according to Marmol call'd Gavera there yet appear many fair Edifices and particularly a very curious Sepulchre with Egyptian and Latin Inscriptions There is also a deep Well into whose bottom the Sun shines at Noon A deep Well while he passes too and again through the Northern signs To this place or a little further the Nile is Navigable but beyond no Vessel can pass oppos'd and stop'd by the Cataracts and therefore they Land their Goods below and carry them over Land then again shipping when they are past the precipice and come into smooth water Eastward from Asna is the antient and great City Asuan or Assuan The City Assuan by some taken to be Conza or Metacompsus and borders upon the Desart Buche through which they Travel by the City Suaquen to the Red Sea Neighboring with the Moors and by Marmol placed in Egypt Beyond this they pass not up the Nile Sanutus because of the fore-mention'd precipices It is very hot there in Summer and the Inhabitants are Tawny of colour not caused so much by the great heat as by their commixture with the People of Nubia and the Moors In several places about this City are many antient Buildings and Towers there call'd Barba which makes some imagine that heer stood Thebes In circuit five mile in length three miles out of whose Ruines Asuan was built Strabo gives it eighty Stadia or Furlongs in length of which City of Asuan Albufeda the Arabian thus writes Asuan is a City of the upper Theban Countrey lying by the side of the Eastern Desart wherein stands the famous Needle or Spire the greatest Monument of Antiquity partly for its huge Carv'd Stones and partly for the variety of curious Imagery upon it And that many Obelisks and Pyramids have been there Herodotus Diodorus and others testifie Herodotus Diodorus Beyond this the utmost border of the Turkish Dominions in Egypt there are no Seats or Habitations worth the mentioning onely some few Huts or Cottages where Tawny people of Buchia dwell that speak a Tongue scraped together out of the Egyptian Arabian and Moorish Languages Several other small Cities Sanutus and inconsiderable places by length of time decay'd are by Sanutus and other Geographers with few words touched upon such are these Thura in the East lying close by Cairo Sachila and Pharsono lying beneath the Lake Maeris Narnita and Nitriota above it Elmena Libelezait Saguan Dakat all poor and thin peopled places of which the first is to the inland in the mid-way between the Red-Sea and Nile but the other lye close by the Sea side King Pharaoh's Angle Pharaoh's Angle or Point from whence Moses with his people in a wonderful manner passed through the Red Sea Corondal Aziruth and Aphaca places on the Red-Sea lying not far one from another with few or no Inhabitants The seven Wells Seven Wells call'd by the Italians Zette Pozzi is a place in a dry Tract of Land where at this day appear some tokens of the Old Wells or Fountains of Water that gave name to the place Menuia and Cosera lye in the Island Heracleopolites Sanutus but thinly inhabited The like also are Veneria and Ansena two Neighboring places Besides the Island Michias The two Islands of Heracleopolites and Cynopolites lying by Cairo and the Island Elephantina there are Heracleopolites and Cynopolites or the Isle of Dogs both lying in the Nile placed by Sanutus in Egypt The Metropolis of the later is Cynopolis Cynopolis or Dog-town because the Inhabitants for the most part worshipped a Dog but at this day 't is call'd Monphalus The Island Heracleopolites Heracleopolis so call'd from Heracleopolis that is Hercules City because Hercules was worshipped in it is fifty miles in circuit and fruitful in Olives and other Fruit-Trees Here was the Icneumon the mortal Enemy of Crocodiles and Serpents worshipped Besides all these Cities The Number of Villages in Egypt there are many Villages in Egypt for above Delta both Southward and Northward of Cairo Sanut there are four thousand and in Delta twenty thousand whose Grounds and Meadows are once a year water'd by the Nile As to the Soil The Soil of Egypt is dry and thirsty in it self it is Sandy very Barren and so dry and seared that unless it lye under water many dayes as at the overflux of Nile it will never become fertile Therefore the Egyptians often drown their Gardens and Orchards so by long soaking to make them fruitful whereby their Pot-herbs and Salletting are very waterish and more insipid or flashy than in Europe But although the Soil be of it self thus steril It is made fat by Nilus yet the fruitful Nilus with his fat Mud makes it fertile and fit for Tillage and in some places so luxuriant that they often mix the fatness of the Soil with Sand to temper and allay it This onely over-flowing of the Nile made Egypt to be esteemed not onely the Granary of Rome but of the whole then known world for it fed all the Roman Provinces with Corn a third part of the year exposing besides abundance into remoter Countreys Pliny reports that the ground there was so exceedingly fruitful that one onely Seed planted in the Earth would bring forth a hundred fold But this wonderful fertility was attended with this inconvenience that the rich Product was not lasting and from this very same cause they dispatch'd them away to their Neighbor Nations of the Arabian Desart Palestine Syria Constantinople and Europe especially Sugar Cassia Sena-leaves several Gums and other Inland Commodities Kassia Colekasia Datura The Delta's boast theirs
The Houses upon the Mountains are made of Clay or Loame and covered with Barks of Trees or Rushes wherein they shelter their Cattel from the extremity of Weather There is also in this Jurisdiction a strange Bridge over the River Subu A strange Bridge between the two high Mountains Beni Jasga and Selelgo which the Inhabitants for conveniency of passage from one to the other have built in this manner They have set two great Beams on either Shore of the River to each whereof hangs a Pully through which run two great Cables with a Basket fastened to one of them wherein ten Men may easily sit and when any would go over he puts himself into the Basket tied to the uppermost Rope and so drawing the lowermost conveys himself to the one or other side ¶ THe greatest part of this Countrey is Rough and Craggy The Quality of this Territory Dry and Barren excepting one little Spot replenished with Gardens and watered with smooth purling Rivulets ¶ THe Lands about Teze and Matgare are extraordinary fertile and the Air very clear and wholsom Garsis boasts of many well-planted Gardens fruitful Valleys full of Vines black and red Grapes but not good to make Wine Megese and Beniguersenage bear much Flax and the latter Wheat Olives Citrons and Quinces The Gardens of Benijesseten afford Grapes Dates and Peaches the last of which the Inhabitants cut into four pieces and dried in the Sun is accounted a great Dainty The Mountains in general are Woody wherein harbour many wild Beasts such as Lions Leopards Apes besides abundance of good Cattel viz. Sheep bearing a very fine Fleece which the Women make into Coverlets and Cloth so fine that at Fez they give any Rates for it Goats profitable both for their Milk and Skins Horses Asses and Mules not onely profitable to the Inhabitants by their Labour but upon Sale yielding very good Barter The Mountains Zis and Gerseline produce an incredible multitude of Serpents Tame that they creep into the Houses and are as familiar as Catts and Dogs they twine themselves about what they eat and eat what is given them without hurting any body unless first disturbed or abused ¶ THe People of Megese and Zis are White Strong-limmed Swift of Foot The Quality of the Inhabitants and active Horsemen They of Tezerghe are homely but the Women of Baronis very white handsom shaped and well set Those of Benijesseten are Clownish Ignorant and void of all Education living as Beasts whereas on the contrary the Inhabitants of Mazattase Benijasga and Gueblen are lovers of Learning of civil Deportment and Courteous ¶ NOr are their Conditions more various than their Habits The Habit of the Inhabitants for the Mazetasians go neatly Clad the Baronians wear much Silver they of Benijesseten Iron Rings and Pendants labour in the Woods or tend Cattel for the most part going Bare-foot or at best wearing Shoes made of Bulrushes Those of Zis wear onely a Woollen Shirt girt about their Loyns with a Towel without any Covering upon their Heads Winter or Summer ALGIER THe Kingdom of Algier so called from the Head City of the same Name The Kingdom of Algier includes at this day according to Peter Davity Reyame de Alger p. 166. the ancient Cesarian or Imperial Mauritania yet excludes Dara bestowing * Introd Geogr. lib. 4. cap. 109. it on Numidia or Biledulgerid whereas Cluverius Treats of it under Barbary as wholy included in Mauritania Caesariensis without any relation to Biledulgerid This Kingdom together with Bugie Constantine Its Borders and other adjacent Territories heretofore a Member of Tremecen or Telensin but now it self incorporated into this hath for Borders in the West Mauritania Tingitana Easterly part of Fez from which divided by the Rivers Zis and Muluy on the South the Desarts of Numidia and Biledulgerid on the East Tunis and on the North the Surges of the Midland-Sea It runs along by the Coasts of the Mediterrane It s Extent from the Mouth of the River Muluye to that of Susgemar being in length from West to East above an hundred and-fifty Spanish miles though in other places not above twenty Peter Dan in his History of Barbary augments it to an hundred sixty and two French miles that is in the East by Tabarka to the Kingdom of Tunis and the West by Oran to the Kingdom of Fez. Marmol divides the whole into four Provinces viz. Tremecen or Telensin Tenez The Partition Algier and Bugie Gramay in his Description of Africa says The Turks divide it into ten lying towards the Sea and into ten towards the Inland and each of which hath a City called Alzier Bugia Gigeri Constantine Bona Sargel Horan Humanbar Haresgol Tebesse Beniarax or Beniaraxid Miliane Angad Tenez and Tremecen or Telensin formerly a Kingdom of it self besides the Kingdom of Kouco Labez Tikarte and Huerguela which two last now belong to Numidia ¶ THe chiefest Rivers watering the whole Countrey The Rivers of Algier are Zis Hued Habra Tesne Mina Xilef Celef Ceffaye Hued el Harran Hued el Hamiz Hued Icer Hued el Quibir Sufgemar Marsoch and Yadoch all which rise out of the Great Atlas and finish their course in the Midland-Sea The Ziz The River Ziz. a large Stream deriving his Head as we mentioned before from Atlas floweth through the Desart of Angued and at last joyning with Hued Habra falls into the Mediterrane the Waters hereof are very clear and well replenished with Fish Hued Habra Hued Habra ariseth in Tremecen and uniting with Zis in the Plains of Cira changes its Name to Cirat so passing the desolate City Arzeo empties her Waters into the Mediterrane Tesne Tesne by Ptolomy called Siga and by the Natives Harelgol a little Brook descending from Atlas takes a Northern course through the Desart of Angued and so giving a Visit to Tenzegzet falls into the Sea five miles Westward of Oran Mina Mina a midling River called by Ptolomy Chylemath runs from Atlas Northward falling into the Sea near Arzeo Zilef Zilef formerly called Cartena a great River springs out of Guanecexis and passing through the Plains of Tremezen intermingles his Waters with the Sea near Mostagan Both the sides of it are inhabited by Rich and Warlike Arabians called Fledsueid which can bring into the Field above Two thousand Horse and Three thousand Foot Celeph Celeph supposed to be the Chinalaph of Ptolomy whose Banks are shadowed with pleasant Groves adjoyning waters the Metiasian Valleys at length disemboguing into the Sea three miles from Algier Ceffaye Ceffaye or Soffaye or Soffaye the Save of Ptolomy enters the Mediterrane close by Metafuz Eastward of Algier Hued el Harran Huid el Harrax Hued el Hamiz and Hued el Hamiz Winter Rivers but Summer Brooks mix with the Sea between Algier and Ceffaye Hued Icer Hued Icer thought to be Ptolomy's Serbere springs from Atlas and
the Summer to eat in the Winter There grow also Figs Apples Pears and very much other Fruit but above all yielding great store of good Cattel as Oxen Calves and Sheep call'd by the Arabians Nedez sufficient to give Supplies of Butter and Milk not onely to the City Bona but also to Tunis and the Island Zerbes ¶ THe Mountains for the most part lie destitute of People yet full of pleasant Springs having Water enough to give a Current to several Rivers which afterwards take their course through the Plains between the Hills and the Midland Sea The Coast hereabouts yields much Coral both white red and black being a kind of Plant or Shrub growing in the Water between the Rocks ¶ THis City and Province were-Governed by Xeques and peculiar Lords of their own It s Government till the King of Tunis having subdued them built a strong Castle on the East side of the City to keep it in awe but afterwards Aruch Barbarossa in the Year Fifteen hundred and twenty coming with two and twenty Galleys and Ships into the Haven forced the Citizens to acknowledge him by which means they became Subjects to the Kings of Algier and so have ever since continued excepting for a short space that the Emperor Charles the Fifth in the Year Fifteen hundred thirty five made himself Master of it THE FORT OF FRANCE SIx Miles to the East of Bona between the Kingdoms of Algier and Tunis Peter Davity Estat Ture on Affique and between the Black and Rosie Cape you may see a Fort Commanded by the French and call'd Bastion de France that is French-Fort Formerly near this Cape of Roses stood another Building erected in the Year Fifteen hundred sixty one by two Merchants of Marseiles with the Grand Seignior's consent call'd a Fort but indeed was onely a Flat-rooft Ware-house for a residence of the French who come thither and employ the Natives Diving for Coral and under that pretence Exported all sorts of Merchandise as Grain Hides Wax and Horses which they bought there with more liberty and for less Price than in the Island Tabarka because no Turks lay there to hinder them But many years since this Structure whose Ruines yet appear was beaten down by the Algerines oppressed with a great scarcity of Provisions which the Moors reported was occasioned by the French Exporting their Corn. Afterwards in the Year Sixteen hundred twenty eight by order of Lewis the Thirteenth French King Mounsieur d'Argen Lieutenant of Narbone and chief Engineer of France was sent thither to re-build the razed Fort who took with him all Materials necessary for the Work from Marseiles and with great speed and diligence erected this Bastion But the Work was scarce begun when the Moors and Arabians came down Armed in great numbers and forced the Mounsieur to a Retreat and at present to Fortifie himself in a Half-Moon newly cast up from whence with the first opportunity he took Shipping At length the same King employed one Samson to re-attempt the same design who brought it to some perfection and was Governour of it Since which another was formed upon the Island Tabarka in the Year Sixteen hundred thirty and three This Bastion de France hath two great Courts the one to the North where the Store-Houses for Corn and other Merchandise are with many convenient Ground-Rooms for the Officers and Chief Commanders The other being more large and spacious than the former stands on a Sandy Beach where the Ships usually come to trade for Corall as we mention'd before To this adjoyns a fair and great Vaulted Chappel call'd St. Catharina in which they Celebrate their Mass and Preach having convenient Lodgings above for the Chaplains and Priests Before it there is a Church-yard and a little on one side a Garden-house set apart and us'd onely for sick and wounded Souldiers Between these two Courts towards the South standeth a great Quadrangle built all of Stone which is the Fort or Strength with a flat Roof wherein stand mounted two Mortar-Pieces and three other Brass-Pieces supply'd with a sufficient Garrison TUNIS THe Kingdom of Tunis The antient Borders at this day subject to the Great Turk compris'd formerly the Countreys of Constantine Bugie Tunis Tripolis in Barbary and Essab and by consequence the greater part of Africa the Less together with Carthage Old Numidia and other Countreys extending above a hundred and twenty miles along the Sea-Coast But now the greatest part of Bugie Constantine and Essab are wrested from it by Arms and annexed to Algier The Kingdom of Tunis then It s present Borders taken within these narrow Borders begins at the River Guadelbarbar formerly call'd Tuska dividing it on the West from Constantine as on the East the River of Caps or Capes by the Lake of Melaetses separates it from Tripolis and on the Southern Limit is the Modern Numidia Peter Dan in his Description of Barbary joyns it on the West to Algier to Barka Bona and Tripolis on the East So that by his account the Southern Part of Tunis lies Westward of Negro-Land containing but few places of note ¶ THe Rivers which run thorow and water this Countrey Its Rivers are chiefly four Guadelbarbar Magrida Megerada and Caps or Capes Guadelbarbar Guadelbarbar which Sanutus and Marmol call Hued d' Ylbarbar takes its Original out of a Hill lying a quarter of a mile from the City Urbs or Jorbus being serviceable onely to the Citizens in driving their Mills for the Current runs in so many crooked Meanders that such as travel from Tunis to Bona are necessitated with great trouble there being no Boats nor Bridges to help them to wade over five and twenty times Lastly it disembogues into the Sea by the forsaken Haven Tabarka seven miles from Bugie Magrida Magrida formerly call'd Catadt seems to be a Branch of the former flowing thorow Choros and then entring the Mediterrane near to a place call'd Marsa Megerada Megerada or rather Maggiordekka formerly Bagradag on whose Shore Pliny Gellius and Strabo say that when Attilius Zegulus was Consul for the Romans in these parts during the Punick Wars was found a Serpent of a hundred and twenty Foot long kill'd by Attilius and his Army with Arrows It rises according to Sanutus out of a Mountain bordering on the Countrey of Seb call'd by others Ursala whence giving a friendly Visit to the City Tebesse it runs Northward till discharging its Water into the mediterrane-Mediterrane-Sea about ten miles from Tunis This River swells up an unusual heighth when any great Rains fall so that the Travellers sometimes are compell'd to stay three days till that the Water abates that they may wade over for there are neither Bridges nor Boats for Ferry Tâ—UNIS ¶ MOuntains in this Kingdom are Zogoan Guislet Benitefren The Mountains and Nefuse besides some others on the South Zogoan lies six miles Southward of Tunis upon whose Side and Foot may be seen the
who had served the Malteses were put to the Sword and most of the Knights of Malta sent to the Galleys and the rest the Bashaw took and made Slaves After this Victory Sinan appointed Morat Aga to be Vice-Roy and ever since the Grand Seignior sends from Constantinople every three years a Beglerbeg or Bashaw thither to support his Conquests About the Year Fifteen hundred ninety eight Sidi Haga a Marabout or Priest designing to make himself a Master of the City and Kingdom with the assistance of the meaner sort began a notable Rebellion upon the first intelligence whereof Asan Bassa Admiral at Sea Sailed thither with sixty Galleys and some Souldiers from Tunis and Algier on a sudden fell into the Marabout's Quarters whose own Men finding their error in some measure to mitigate the fury against themselves set an end to their Mutiny by presenting their Captains Head to Sinan who sent it to the Grand Seignior De Stadt TRIPOLIS THE TERRITORY OF TRIPOLI NEar the Lesser Africa and Asfatus over against the Island Querquene The Borders of the Territory of Tripoli call'd by Ananie Ceraunia the River Capez takes its Course antiently call'd Triton Westerly of which this Province takes its beginning and ends at that of Mezellata in the East so that it hath for Borders on the West Tunis and on the North the Mediterrane on the South Numidia or Biledulgerid and Lybia with the Wilderness of Zara and in the East Mezellata a large Tract of Ground but altogether waste and unfruitful The chiefest Places thereof are Old and New Tripoli Kapes Machres Elhamma and Zoara Old Tripoli by some taken for the Antient City Naples in Barbary Old Tripoli and the Great Leptis of Ptolomy This was the Birth-place of the Emperor Severus first built by the Romans afterwards possessed by the Goths and at length destroy'd by the Mahumetans in the time of Hamor their second Kalif and ever since as Sanutus saith little inhabited New Tripoli or Tripoli in Barbary New Tripoli to distinguish it from a City of the same name in Syria call'd by the Turks Terabulus and by the Moors Trebeliz or Tarabilis seated on the Sea-side is not great but full Peopled with Turks Moors The Scituation and Jews surrounded with high and defensible Stone-Walls strengthened in several places with Sconces and Bullwarks yet having but two Gates one on the South-side going out to the main Land and one on the North by the Haven adjoyning to which Gates are two Forts that on the North securing the Haven which is very pleasant and beneficial and of capacity enough to contain many Ships The Houses like those of Tunis and the Streets very well pav'd with one large Prison or Masmora for Christian Slaves whereof there are always some here though much fewer than at Tunis or Algier besides divers Mosques and some Hospitals but for the greatest part sorely decay'd through the Cruelty of the Wars Kaps Kaps or Kapis or Kapis or Kafis by Marmol call'd Kasce and by the Moors according to Mercator Kabez being the Takape of the Antients stands near the Midland-Sea environ'd with lofty Walls and strengthened with a Castle Machres Machres or Mahara a Village about thirteen miles from the Isle of Zerby with a Castle for the defence of Kaps Bay Elhamma Elhamma a Roman Platform three miles from Kapes having Walls of Hewen Stone and Gates whereon in Marble Tablets may yet be read Latin Inscriptions Zoara Zoara or Zoarat taken by the Antients for the Haven Pisidon is an antient Town by the Mediterrane thirteen miles to the East of the Island Zerby There is one more little inhabited Rasalmabes and of as little fame onely for the Name controverted by Authors some making it Gichtis others Rasalmabes and Simlerus the Gita of Antoninus The Syrtes are two a greater and a lesser the lesser is an ill Neighbour to the Gulf of Kaps near Tripoli being very dangerous by reason of the Shelves Banks and Quick-sands lying round about But the great Syrtes in the Maps are call'd The Shoals of Barbary and in Spanish Baxos de Carthage which is the same over against Ezzab Syrtes is properly a Greek word The Syrtes signifying Shifting Sands sometimes having much and then little Water and sometimes almost none at all The greater of these Syrtes is in Nine and twenty Degrees North Latitude and Forty eight Degrees of Longitude but the smaller in Two and thirty Degrees Latitude and in Three and forty Degrees Longitude The Lake Tritonis The Lake Tritinis famous in Antiquity and often mention'd by Historians and Geographers lies in the very heart of Little Africa Volateranus says there are there of the said Name viz. this of Lybia thought to be the Birth-place of Minerva another of Boetia and a third in Thessalia Ptolomy places here two that is Tritonis by Marmol call'd Kapis and the other the Lake of Pallas Diodorus after all makes mention of another near the Atlantick Ocean ¶ THe Rivers of this Kingdom The Rivers are Karsarnaker Rasalmabes and Magro otherwise Cenifes all which take their originals from Mount Atlas and discharge their Waters into the midland-Midland-Sea near the places from which they take their Names ¶ THe Countrey is all Sandy The Soyl. and so Barren that no kind of Corn by the best Husbandman be produced there so that the Inhabitants would almost perish with Hunger if Corn were not Transported thither from other places to supply their defective Harvests ¶ THere is in this City no fresh Water Their Scarcity of Water but that which runs from the tops of the Houses through Gutters Not far from Elhamma rises a great Spring to the Southward whose Waters being exceeding hot are conveyed by Pipes into the Bathes there which notwithstanding it s so distant Current yet retains the Heat so powerfully that few will adventure to go into it yet sometimes for pure necessity the Inhabitants are compell'd to drink thereof though in regard of its Sulphurous Quality it operates little towards the quenching of their thirst Lastly not far from the City is a Standing-Water call'd The Lake of the Melatson by reason of having a strange power to Cure the Leprosie Sanutus places here the Lotus-Tree which by some are call'd Mikakoliers or rather Alsiers of which Fruit being sweeter than Dates the Inhabitants make very pleasant Wine Lemmons Oranges and Dates grow here in great abundance but no other Fruits except Halbhazis which groweth under Ground to the bigness of a Bean it tastes like an Almond but is never chew'd onely sucked ¶ THe Inhabitants of Tripolis live chiefly upon Weaving and Merchandising Those of Kapes being poor Their Employment are generally Husbandmen and Fishers paying Tribute of all their Labors to the Bashaw Those of Elhamma are lazy poor and very Thieves The Zoarers burn Lime which they carry to Tripolis But all live hardly their Food being so scarce that he is
the Rivers Maguibba or Rio Nova Mava Plizoge and Monoch in Portuguese call'd Rio Aguado In five Degrees and three and forty Minutes of Northern Latitude lies Kaboc Monte twelve miles Eastward whereof rises a high Mountain call'd Cape Mesurado adjoyning to which is the River Saint Paulo and ten miles from it Rio Junk or Siunk and Saint Johns River empty their Waters into the Sea six miles East from this River stands the Village call'd Tabe-Kanee Petit-Dispo and Diepe by the Blacks nam'd Tabo Dagroh Six miles from Little Diepe the River Sestus falls into the Sea And here begins the Grain-Coast being a Tract of forty miles in Length on the Easterly Part of which lieth Little Sestus and five miles farther Cabo Baixos and then Zanwiin a small Village distant thence three miles passing on toward the East you come to Bofou or Bofoe and so to Setter and Bottowa Cape Swine appears next in order with a Village of the same name and then at little distances you come to Crow Wappen or Wabbo Drowyn Great Setter Gojaurn Garway Greyway or Grouway and lastly Cabo de Palmas or Palm Cape Here at the Village of Grouway begins Tooth-Coast so call'd from the abundance of Elephants Teeth there to be had beginning two miles Eastward of Cape Palm and ending at Cape de la Hou making a Tract of fifty miles within which are not many inhabited Towns for the first is four and twenty miles from Cape Palm and call'd Tabo the next Petiero a mile farther and close by the Sea then Taho five miles from thence and at the like distance from that Berly in four Degrees and a half of Latitude close by which St. Andrews River enters the Sea where it makes a great imbowed Reach to the South-East towards Red-Land so call'd from its red Cliffs Beyond the Red Cliffs appears Cape'de la Hou the utmost limit of Tooth-Coast from whence Quaqua-Coast commences and extends to the Village Assine the first place of Gold-Coast a mile and a half upward in a barren place void of all shelter or Trees stands a little Township call'd Koutrou or Katrou and not far from thence Jakke La-Hou within five miles of which Jak in Jakko from whence you go directly to a place adjoyning to the Sea and commonly intituled The Pit or Bottomless Lake About sixteen miles Eastward of La-Hou lieth a place call'd Kerbe La-Hou in the Bants-Coast before which place the Sea is very deep for a Stones-throw from the Shore they have forty or fifty Fathom Water Eight and twenty or thirty miles from Cape La-Hou lieth Assine where the Guinee Gold-Coast begins being twelve miles Eastward of Kerbe La-Hou and ends at the plentiful Golden Village Akera making in all a Tract of fifty miles The Kingdoms upon the Sea-Coast are Atzin Little Inkassan Anten Guaffo Fetu Sabou Fantin Aghwana Akara Labbede and Ningo In Atzin are three Villages one of which is call'd Akombene but the chiefest is Atzin Little Inkassan contains no place worthy remark save Cabo-Das-Tres-Puntas Anten reckons within it self these following Villages Bothrom Poyera Pando Takorary or Anten Maque Jaque Sakonde and Sama. Three miles from Takorary Guaffo shews it self first then Aitako or Little Commendo two miles Eastward of Sama afterwards Ampea Kotabry Aborby and Terra Pekine In Fetu on the Shore there lieth a little Hamlet which the Natives call Igwa but the Merchant corruptly Cabo Cors from its near neighborhood to Cabo Curso On the Borders of this Kingdom of Fetu stands the famous Castle of Saint George or Del Myne built by the Portuguese on whose West-side lieth Dana or Dang where the Salt River Bensa entreth the Sea as the Sweet River Utri doth half a mile more to the East In Sabou you first discover the Township of Moure and by it the Castle of Nassau built by the Hollanders Fantin shews it self Cormantine Ville two miles Eastward of Moure then Anemalo and a Cannon-shot Westwards thereof Adja In Agwana are these places of name viz. Craggy Point Soldiers Bay The Devils Mountain New Biamba Old Biamba Great Berku Jaka the principal Sea-Town Corks-brood and Little Berku all which Places have strong Rocks before their Havens In Akara on the Sea-Coast stand Soko Orsaky and Little Akara being fifteen miles Eastward of Cormantine and the last place of the Gold-Coast Two miles Eastward of Akara in the Kingdom of Lebbade stands a Town of the same Name Lastly in Ningo are four chief Ports viz. Ningo four miles from Akara and two miles from Lebbede Temina a mile from Ningo Sinko the like from Temina and Pissy all naturally fortifi'd with high Cliffs Seven miles East of Akara on the Shore Sinko comes in view from whence Journeying on still to the East you arrive at a Village where the River Rio Volta runs into the Sea between these lieth Fishers Town and not far distant Cabo Montego in a Low-land with several small Woods about it From thence Eastward to the Village Popou the Countrey is very plain and even four miles below Popou begins the Kingdom of Ardez and ends at the Town Aqua within which Tract are contained the Hamlets of Foulaen and Ardre Southward of which lies Oost a Tract of Land eight miles long boasting a handsom City call'd Jackeyne three days Journey from thence stands Jojo another good Town and a quarter of a mile farther a City named Ba. Sixteen miles Eastward of Little Arder Rio Lagas runs into the Ocean and eighteen miles farther the River Benin with a broad and wide Mouth loses it self in the Sea Four and twenty miles beyond Rio Forcado having visited the Eastern Borders of the Kingdom of Ouwerre falls into the Sea by Cape Formoso in four Degrees and eight Minutes North Latitude Fifteen miles from Cape Formoso runs the River Reael or Calberine between which Cape and River seven others have their course into the Sea the first is call'd Riotton half a mile Eastward of Formoso the second Rio Odi in the Latitude of four Degrees and ten Minutes the third fourth and fifth are call'd Rio Saint Nicholas the sixth Rio de tres Irmaus the seventh Rio Sambreiro a mile beyond which is the little Territory of Bani Two miles from the Easterly Point of Calbarine the River Loitamba so call'd by the Inhabitants but by Seamen Rio Sant Domingo has its course all about which the Countrey is very plain even and full of Trees This Coast extends it self East South-East sixteen miles Rio del Rey a very wide and great River comes next in view then Camerones Pickereen very narrow both which have on each side plain Ground but full of Bushes Between these two last named Rivers lies the High-land of Amboises by the Spaniards call'd Alta Terra de Ambosi on whose West-side lies several Villages and among others Bodi or Bodiway otherwise Tesge and three small Islands call'd The Islands of Amboises In the next place come these following Rivers viz. Monoka Borba
stand two large Portugal Houses each having an exceeding great and tall Tree call'd Talbassero before the Door whose interwoven Boughs that afford a pleasant shade make a delightful Arbor whereinto they frequently go and eat and sleep there North-East from thence appears Magar Magar where the King of Cayor many times keeps his Residence Emboul and seven miles farther Eastwards Emboul where the Kings Palace is divided from the City with Pallisado's interweaved with Bands and Palmito-Boughs and on the in-side Planted with many Vines Before the Court lieth a great Plain The Court of Rayer where they use to break and exercise Horses set round with Trees Into this none may enter but such as are appointed because the King 's chiefest Wives therein have their particular Apartments yet about it at the distance of a Musquet-shot many persons dwell in small Huts or Tents making a reasonable Livelihood by petty dealing with the Servants and Attendants of the Court. Ten miles from the Palace they have Embar Embar a Town set apart onely for the Reception and Entertainment of all such as come of the Blood-Royal and may have any hopes to the Succession of the Crown Three or four miles farther Bey-hourte upon the Shore of the River Zenega is a large Hamlet termed Bey-hourte where the King's Customers and Receivers reside for the Collection of all his Revenues of all sorts thither brought to them About three miles from hence Westwards The Fort of the French the French have a Fort which they maintain to support the Trade they drive there but they pay to the King Sixteen in the Hundred for Hides whereas the Portugals pay but Ten and but a little for other Wares In this Tract we arrive at Baool Lambay whose Metropolis is Lambay where the King usually resides about two miles from whence towards the North-West lieth Sangay Sangay where sometimes the King takes his Divertisements Four miles removed Eastward stands Jamesil Jamesil and about five and fifty miles to the In-land the City Borsalo Borsalo But the Royal City of the whole Kingdom of Zenega is Tubakatum Turbakatum the Court and Chamber of the Great Jalof ¶ THese Countreys are usually infested with sultery heats The Air or temper of the Climate so that the depth of their Winter is warmer than May with us yet have they stormy and wet Weather Travaden or Stormy weather or Rains which they call Travaden that is Tempestuous accompanied with much Thunder and Lightning these begin on the Sea-Coast for the most part in June and continue till September though sometimes accidental Storms happen in October and May but without Rain These sudden Gusts arise commonly out of the South-East but the stiffest and strongest out of the East-South-East which too often prove dangerous to the Sea-men The most unhealthy time here is in October for then the Air parches with Heat but when the Winds begin to blow those Breezes temper and cool the Air and so continues till towards May. ¶ SEveral Rivers water this Countrey the Chief of which are those of Zenega and Gambea both after many meandring Courses discharg'd their full Streams into the Atlantick Ocean Ortelius believes that Zenega is the same which Ptolomy nam'd Daras or Darade but Lewis Cadamost maintains it to be the Niger of the Antients and makes it a bordering Limit to Negro-Land But that Opinion seems altogether impossible because like the Nyle Niger overflows and fertilitates the Countreys it passes through whereas Zenega leaves all lying about it very lean and barren Zenega hath as many Names as it runs through Countreys Several Names Marmol l. 8. c. 3. for the Jaloffs call it Dengueh the Turkornols Maso the Caragols name it Colle the people of Bagano Zimbala those of Tombut Iza but the Portugals not knowing its proper Name stil'd it Zenega from the Name of a Prince with whom upon their first coming into these Parts they contracted a League of Amity Johannes Barros derives this Stream from certain Lakes lying in the East The Head-Fountains by Ptolomy nam'd Chelonides the greatest whereof at present is call'd Goaga and the other Nuba The Course of it is very long and straight almost in a right line till about seventeen miles above Cape de Verde disemboguing into the Ocean In Zenega though not so full of Water as Gambea many Islands appear Islands of Zenega the greatest part whereof are full of Serpents and Wilde Beasts Nor is it much profitable otherwise to such as inhabit near being not passable in many places by reason of huge Rocks causing great and unusual Cataracts like those of the Nyle which some of the Inhabitants call Huaba others Burto that is a Bowe because sometime the Water is carried up into the Air by the force of the Wind in the manner of a Bowe Many other great Rivers run into this A strange Vertue of two Rivers especially one coming out of the South and seeming to have Red-Water between these two they say is such a strange Antipathy that whoever drinks the Water of one and presently that of the other findes himself necessitated to vomit yet neither of them produce this effect single nor both together after they have mingled their Streams and run in one Channel Several kinds of Fishes and other Creatures breed herein as the Hippopotamus or Sea-Horse Crocodiles and Serpents with little Horns yet notwithstanding all these inconveniencies the Water hath a Prolifick Quality foecundating Cattel that drink of it ¶ SIx miles Southward flows Borsalo full of great dry Sholes or Sands The River Borsalo on both sides several Villages shew themselves Fountain-Springs supply'd with fresh Water from a clear Spring that rises on the Easterly Shore A Tree four fatsiom thick by a Tree above four Fathom thick For the River Water by the flowing of the Sea is brackish near forty miles ¶ NOt far from Punto Sereno floweth a small River call'd Rio de la Grace being a Border to the Kingdom of Ale before whose Mouth lieth a Shelf many times overflow'd by the Sea from which as soon as dry fresh and sweet Water continually springs Somewhat more Southerly runs Bassangamar full of great Rocks The River Bassangamar The next is Rio des Ostro's or Oyster-River The River of Oysters deep enough for the coming in of Ships Between Borsalo and Gambea the Countrey all along is plain but full of high Trees yet wholly void of Inhabitants About three miles from Jandos Northwards The Lake Eutan is the Lake Eutan six miles long and half a mile broad In time of Rain it abounds both with Water and Fish but in a dry Season so empty that they can go over dryshod The bottom for the most part covered with Simbos or pieces of Horn and Glass which in Angola they use for Money Not far distant from hence is a Well of ten Fathom deep
Egyptian Monarchs Pharaoh at first and afterwards Ptolomy The proper Name of the present King is Daur but by the addition of that Royal Title which signifies King call'd Burdomel Daur This Name of Burdomel The King is taken by some for a Place about Cape Verde and accordingly so set down in the Maps of Africa ¶ HEre are no peculiar or Municipal Laws The Law of the Countrey for indeed the Law or light of Nature is the onely Rule they steer by for when a Man dies and leaves behind him Wives Children Cattel Slaves and Iron wherein their chiefest Riches consists the Brothers and Sisters of the Deceased take all without any consideration of the Children whom they leave to the wide World to help themselves as well as they can As to matters of distributive Justice or punishments of Crimes they are in a manner strangers to both the greatest extravagancies being bought off and pardoned by paying of Slaves or some other Mulct to the King ¶ THeir Religion Their Religion if so we may call it is generally Paganism for they greet the New-Moon with horrible roarings and strange gestures of adoration they offer their Sacrifices in the Woods before great hollow Trees wherein they have placed Idols and this they do rather out of custom then zeal using neither form nor method in their Devotions nor any particular Assemblies but every one following the dictates of his own humor makes a God in his own Fancy which is as often varied as their Lusts or Passions raises in them other motions Some of them seem to incline to Mahumetanism and admit among them some Marabouts but so little have they prevailed upon them that they know not what the Sala means nor do the Priests any other Service than write Arabick Characters on small Papers which sew'd in little Leather Purses are worn by the Blacks on their Necks Arms Legs Heads and every part of their Bodies in great numbers firmly believing that thereby in time to come they shall be freed of all troubles and dangers to the great gain of the Marabouts who sell them at no small Prices And although they know there is a God yet have they no understanding to worship him and use Circumcision the fifth or sixth Year and then if they be asked the reason thereof they can give no other account but that it is an antient Custom received among them but farther know not None of the Priests are permitted to Marry but in their own Families nor may teach any to Read or Write without the chief Marabout's Licence They hold the Christian Religion in great abomination affirming that God who giveth all things and can do what he pleaseth and causes Thunder Lightning Rain and Wind is Omnipotent and needs neither praying to nor to be set forth in so mysterious a way as that of the Trinity and thus Heathenism and Idolatry generally possesses the whole Countrey THE KINGDOM OF GAMBEA CASSAN CANTOR AND BORSALO ADjoyning to Zenega on the North is Gambea The Kingdom of Gambea a small Kingdom by the River of the same name On the other side of the River Gambea lies the Jurisdiction of Cassan Great Cantor and Borsalo all heretofore subject to the King of Mandimanza but now have Princes as absolute as himself and acknowledging no Superior The King of Great Cantor keeps his Residence continually on the Southerly Shore of the River Gambea The King of Canter having many inferior Dominions under his Obedience The King of Borsalo commands on the North-side of the same River to Tantakonde The King of Borsalo Both these Princes have several populous Towns belonging to them but Several Towns lying on Gambea as we said all without Walls and scituate on both the Shores of Gambea which like the Nyle overflowing it Banks much enriches and fertilitates the neighbouring Soyl. The Sea-Coast hereabouts shooting from the South is very low and in that regard unless in very clear weather hard to be known but more forward the Land rises high is full of Trees and spreads North-East and South-West At the Mouth of this River stands the Town Barra Barra so named because every Ship that comes thither must give a Bar of Iron which they call Barra to the King of Borsalo Above the South-Point stands a Town call'd Nabare Nabare within a Wood. Three miles higher on the same Point lieth a Town call'd Bintam inhabited by the Portugals Bintam On the South-side of the River twenty miles from the Mouth Tankerval Tendeba appears Tankerval and not far thence a Town call'd Tendeba twelve miles from which last may be seen Jayre Jayre in a narrow Creek Half a mile beyond the Creek on the South-side lieth the River and Town call'd Jambay Jambay Mansibaer Barraconda with another named Mansibaer on the North. In the last place you come to Barraconda above which the Sea floweth not so that whoever will go higher must Row against the Stream After a tedious and toilsom Journey of ten days you arrive at Tinda Tinda above which stands Joliet Joliet Munkbaer and six days Journey from that a City call'd Munkbaer to which without great hazards there is no coming from whence in nine days you come to the City Jayr and so to Silico an In-land Town yet a place of great Trade Five and fifty miles within the Land stands Borsalo and eighty five miles Little Cassan Small Cassan Groat Cassan three miles above which the vast and great City Cassan shews it self whose side is washed by the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea and where the King keeps his Court. ¶ AMong other Rivers that water these Countreys The River Gambea one of the principal is Gambea or Gambia so call'd by the Portuguese after the example of the Blacks who call all the Tracts of Land reaching from the Mouth of it to the Gold-Coast Gambu It s Mouth is about three miles broad hath five fathom Water and lies in thirteen Degrees and nineteen Minutes North Latitude between the Zenega and Rio Grande It draws the original from the great River Niger It s Original at the place where it makes a great Lake and divides in four branches which are afterwards named Zenega Gambea Sante Domingo and the Great River all which after several long courses having visited and refreshed these hot Countreys with their pleasant Streams at last near Cape Verde pour forth their Waters into the Great Ocean but especially Gambea with so strong a Current and such abundance of Water that sixteen miles in the Sea as they say that Water may be taken up They may row up in this River against the Stream near a hundred miles but then are stopped with a strong Water-fall which with an impetuous noise pours down over the Rocks and by that means becomes unpassable The Channel is for the most part very broad especially from the Gold-Coast of Cantor or Reskate to its Mouth
Serre-Lions This River taking its course Northward of the Point of Serre-Lions is at the Mouth twelve miles broad but on the North-side half way choaked up with divers Shelves of Sand which divide it into three Channels one runs along the North-side the other in the midst but the great Channel Coasts by the South which is the deepest of all The Portugals pass onely in the two small Channels with Boats for in the third or great Channel they dare not venture Also between the Island Tasso lying in this River and the South there be many small Currents passable with little Vessels but not with great Ships Another call'd Bangue glides on the South-side of Serre-Lions into the Sea as Mitombo on the North-side so that the Mountain by these two Rivers lieth inclosed in manner of a hanging Island and maketh the prominent Point call'd The Cape of Serre-Lions as we have often said Cabo de Serre-Lions but so narrow that the Blacks take their Canoos upon their Shoulders and carry them over On both Shores of this River lie several Towns and Countreys those to the North-side are call'd Bolm which signifies Low but they on the South are in their Language named Timna On the outermost Point to the Mouth stands the Town Serboracasa and on another Point lying on a yellow sandy Bay a mile and a half distant they have the first place where the Ships which frequent this Coast take in fresh Waters The Countrey about Serboracasa is call'd Serbore Serbora extending from the Sea to the Town Bagos A mile Eastward of Serbore beginneth another Dominion Observe the Miles on these Coasts are all Spanish or Potugal either formerâ—â— mention'd or hereafter following govern'd by one Semaura an ill natur'd man and for every small trifle picks a quarrel with the King of Serbora Eight or ten Paces within the Shore is the second Watering-place The second Watering-place where the Water drills easily down the side of a little rising Ground About two miles farther lies a flat Shore full of Trees and between them a small open place through which a Brook descends from above which at low Water runs away over the Beach A Musquet-shot distance thence into the Land stands a Town where Don Andreas Brother of the King of Bolm-berre resides here the River hath a strong Current which two miles and a half upwards splits it self into three Branches one to the North-East having red Sand hath Water enough to bear great Ships but the middlemost by reason of the shallowness Shelfs of Sand and Cliffs may onely be passed with Skiffs and small Boats Three miles from the first Watering-place appears Bagos Bagos a Town seated under the shadow of a little Wood and a mile and half Eastward upon a prominent Point you see Tomby a pleasant Seat Tomby where the English usually lie with their Ships at Anchor After that the Island Tasso is seen a far off seeming to be firm Land Thirty two miles up the River lieth the Kingdom of Mitombo The Kingdom of Mitombo on whose South-side the Village Os Alagoas is scituate Os Alagoas whither the Blacks will let no White People besides the Portugals come all others they anticipate with Skiffs and Floats The Islands De los Idolos Bravas c. ALong the Coast of Serre-Lions lie several Islands particularly twelve miles and a half Southward of the Cape de Virgen those of Tamara and Veu Usvitay commonly call'd Los Idolos which West and by South from the Point appear as joyn'd to the Continent but afterwards shew themselves as they are in truth Islands which afford all sorts of fresh Provisions to the Seamen and good Tobacco The people are self-will'd and mistrustful and will not suffer any Dutchmen to come into their Towns The most advantageous Commodities vented there are Salt and Brandy to for which they have in Exchange Elephants-Teeth and Gold To the South end of Serre-Lions near the Islands Banannes appears to Ships sailing by a very high Mountain raising his Head into the Clouds call'd Machamala whereof we shall have occasion to speak more largely in a short space Near the South-end of Serre-Lions half a mile in the Sea lie the Islands Bravas being a high Land full of Trees the biggest having a Spring of fresh Water Five miles from hence lie on the South-East against the Point three other little Islets call'd Sombreras Between the Sombreras and Bravas is the place where Jacob le Maire in the Year Sixteen hundred and fifteen found four Rivers among which the Westermost having large Banks had depth and breadth enough for great Ships The next running in between the Trees they might stand on either side of the shore and not be able to see Land on the other thereabouts it was wild and waste without any signs of inhabiting but they saw many wild Beasts as Elephants Buffles Boars Civet-Cats and such like The third had a Bank that hinder'd the coming in of Ships Three or four miles upward lay a low Land full of Lemon-Trees whose Fruits notwithstanding it was in the time of the Rain hung most of them ripe upon the Trees The fourth was a small River within the Point of the Island Sombreras whose Water is deep and Salt where the Sea-men coming on Shore found Crocodiles Turtles and Oisters on the Trees The afore-mention'd Bay here and there hath Shole-water Furna de Sante Anna. about five six seven or eight Fathom and muddy Ground which runs between the Sombreras-Islands Easterly and Furna de Sante Anna whence come many Rivers amongst which the chiefest is Gambea Twelve miles upward of Gambea being as far as it is Navigable with small Vessels lies a Place call'd Kancho in the height of seven Degrees being very low Land whereto adjoyn some Islands ¶ THis Countrey of Serre-Lions according to the Description of Jarrick many take for the healthfullest place of all Guinee and the Air much wholsomer than that of Portugal so that seldom any die by other infirmity than that of Old Age. The same Air as Jarrick adds is much better for a mans health than in many places of Europe being neither too cold nor too hot by reason of the cool Winds which blow there continually which is worth observation considering the nearness of its scituation to the Equinoctial And truly under the favor of that Author we may question his Assertion seeing in the Summer viz. in June and July it is there dark and close rainy Weather with South and South-West Winds as also because the Rain-water in all the neighboring parts of Serre-Lions and along the Sea-Coast is of so unwholsom a quality that where-ever it falls on the bare Body it causes Swellings and Blotches on the Skin and breeds a sort of strange Worms in the Cloathes besides the River-water in April is very offensive and dangerous to drink by reason the Ground through the Summer excessive heats and the stench of
lying in a Lake of the River Plyzoge whither the Dogo-Monou with Fleets following to Attaque him were in a manner totally subdu'd by Flansire's people The Coast from Cape de Mesurado to the Grain-Coast ABout twelve miles Eastward from Cape de Monte lieth Cape de Mesurado Cape de Mesuâ—ado a high Mountain at the North Point A mile and a half The River St. Paul or two mile Eastward of which the shallow River of St. Paul falls into the Sea passable onely with Boats and Sloops The Land about Cape de Monte and this River containing about ten miles and a half is low over-grown with Bushes and Brambles but the Cape a high Mountain and runs with the South Point steep down in the Sea and seems to Sea-men coming from the South an Island because the low Grounds on the other side cannot be seen The Countrey about the Cape de Mesurado is call'd Gebbe Gebbe and the People Gebbe-Monou subjected and conquered as in the manner newly related Nine or ten miles from Cape Mesurado lieth Rio Junk Rio Junk also in Portuguese call'd Rio del Punte having a violent Stream yet at the deepest not above eight Foot Water by which impediment made passable not without great labour and difficulty The Land hereabout over-grown with Bushes and Brambles yet standing higher may be farther seen to the Sea On the South-end of Rio Junk some little Groves appear upon a rising Ground beyond which to the In-land three swelling Hills raise heads to a heighth discernable far off at Sea Eight miles from Rio Junk St. Johns River empties its Streams into the Sea The River St. John being shaded with lofty Trees The Coast reacheth betwixt both South-East Easterly Eastward of this River within the Countrey a high Mountain shews it self in the shape of a Bowe being high in the middle and low at both ends Six miles from it lieth a Village call'd Tabe Kanee and a little forward to the Sea a Cliff where the Land begins to grow low and so continues to Rio Sestos In the mid-way between Tabe Kanee and Sestos stands a small Village call'd Petit Dispo with an adjoining Cliff like the former Three miles from Del Punte you meet with the Brook Petit or little-Little-water by the Blacks call'd Tabo Dagron perhaps from the Name of the King who has the Command there The Grain-Coast THe Grain-Coast so call'd by the Europeans The Grain-Coast from the abundance of Fruits and Grain there growing the chief of which named by Physicians and Apothecaries Grain of Paradise takes its beginning at the River Sestos and reaches two miles beyond Cape de Palm being a Tract of forty miles though some make it begin at Cape de Monte or Serre-Lions and end as before Divers Geographers make this whole Coast one Kingdom The Kingdom of Melli. and name it Mellegette or Melli from the abundance of Grain of Paradise there growing which the Natives call Mellegette And they not onely give it the Grain-Coast but further include within it the Jurisdiction of Bitonen But Leo Africanus circumscribes it with other Limits Other Borders of the Kingdom of Melli. for in the North he bounds it with Geneva or Genni below Gualata on the South with certain Wildernesses and Mountains in the East Gago and in the West divers great Woods adding further that the chiefest City named Melli lying thirty days Journey from Tombute contains above six thousand Houses and gives Name to the whole But we will not farther dispute this matter but proceed to set before you the Places and Rivers lying upon and within this Coast Six miles from Petit Brook The River Sestos and nine from Rio Junk the River Sestos glides with a smooth strong Current between high Cliffs on either side Westward of which the Countrey appears woody Here the Grain-Coast takes its beginning Three miles up this Water stands the King's Village where commonly the Ships lie at an Anchor to Trade A mile and a half Eastward you come to Little Sestos Little Sestos a Village neighbor'd by a Cliff extending into the Sea and having one Tree upon it as a Land-Mark Five miles forward lieth Cabo Baixos Cabo Baixos that is Dry Head by reason of the Shelf lying before it in the Sea It is a round Hill a mile and a half from the Main Land Eastward of Cabo Baixos you may see a white Rock appearing far off coming by Sea out of the South like a Ship with a Sail. And farther into the Sea many others which threaten great danger to the ignorant Sea-man and the rather because most of them are cover'd with Water Three miles from hence the Village Zanwyn shews it self Zanwyn with a River of the same Name on whose Banks stands a great Wood where are many tall and lofty Trees A mile Easterly lies the Hamlet Bofow and half a mile thence Little Setter distant from which three miles you may view the Village Bottowa seated on the rising of a high Land near the Sea-Coast opposite to Cape Swine and to the Southward a Village of the same Name by a small Rivers side Four miles more Eastward you discover the little Town Sabrebon or Souwerobo then to a place named Krow which directs you presently to a prominent Cape with three black Points From Bottowa the Coast reaches South-East and by East for five miles with low and uniform Land little known to Sea-men onely before Setter and Krow some high and bare Trees raise themselves into the Air like Masts of Ships laid up Passing four or five miles from Krow you come to a Village call'd Wappen Wappen or Wabbo in a Valley with a Stream of fresh Water adjoining and five or six streight Trees on the East-side Before Wappen lieth an Island and by it the greatest Cliff in all this Coast besides many smaller and farther on the right hand another Cliff united on the East with the Land at whose Edge lieth a Pond whereinto the fresh Water falls out of the Woods Hither the Sea-men bring their Casks commonly into the Village which the Blacks fill with Water receiving for their pains Cotton-Seed or Beads The like Pond is by Krow behind the Cliffs whither also the Sea-men commonly go with their Boats to fetch fresh Water which the Blacks bring them in Pots out of the Woods and receive the like reward From Wappen you come next to Drowya thence to Great Setter Great Setter by the French call'd Parys adjoyning to which rises a large Pool of fresh water This Tract runs South-East and by South About three miles from Great Setter you may discover the Township of Gojaven and two miles more forward Garway Goaven Garway Greyway close by Cape de Palm and two miles to the East another Village call'd Greyway or Grouway Here a small River passes but full of Rocks and Sandy Banks yet passable enough with Boats along the Southern Shore
these Clothes which the Inhabitants barter for Salt which they according to their own report send abroad by Slaves or otherwise who with it travel so far into the Countrey till they come to white People that Ride on Mules and Asses and use Lances for Arms but they are not altogether white as the Europeans By this Description we cannot but imagine these Mungrel Whites they mention must without peradventure be Moors of Barbary The Blacks of other Places exchange these Cloathes for yellow Arm-Rings and sometimes but seldom for Beads Heretofore some Gold was to be had but now that Trade is lost here and carried to Akara The Government here is Monarchical Government the present Regnant King call'd Sakkoo of whom all the neighboring Territories stand in great fear because he is a Conjurer firmly believing that if he pleased to put his Arts in practise he could bewitch all his Enemies to death In the beginning of December this Sakkoo sends a Canoo to Atzyn and Little Kommany and all places on the Gold-Coast with Negro's where they throw some compounded Conjuring-stuff into the Sea using some formal words in doing it which is done onely to free it from Hericanes or Whirlwinds and tempestuous Storms So soon as this Canoo returns the Merchants come with their Cloathes to the Gold-Coast but in such order that no more may come off till the first come back for the prevention of the hinderances of one another The five Band Villages have the priority in coming off and after those of the six Band this continues till April or the beginning of May when the Sea begins to run high then the King 's Canoo comes as before using the same formality and returning the Gold-Coast Trade ends for that Year The Quaqua-Blacks have a well-govern'd State according to their Mode As for example those that are Fishers must all so remain without daring to alter their Employment As likewise all Merchants are so preferred there that no other may deal in fair Laces and Garments of Akori but they insomuch that all others who have those Commodities are necessitated to put them into the Merchants hands The method of their Worship Religion if any is Diabolical sacrificing Men to their Idols and thereto so addicted that they will not be won to alter it yet courteous enough to Strangers from whom they endeavour to conceal those abhorr'd Oblations Gold-Coast THe Gold-Coast receiv'd its Name from the abundance of Gold there to be had It spreads to the length of fifty miles from the Village Assine Gold-Coast twelve miles Eastward of Korbi Lahou to the Golden Village of Akara lying at the Sea And although some Gold may be had on the Grain-Coast and Eastward of Akara yet that Tract is not reckon'd under the Gold-Coast because the quantity is but small This although known by this single Name to the European Merchants consists in many rich Villages Kingdoms and Territories yet but small in Circumference the particular Places we will onely name here in brief being these viz. Atzyn Little Inkassan Ygwira Great Inkassan Inkassan Iggina Anten Tabeu Atty Adom Mompa Wassa Wanqui Guaffo Sabou Abramboe Kuyfora Akanien Dohoe Junta Ahim or Great Akany Akan Fantyn Aqua Sanquay Ayhwana Aquamboe Abonce Tafoe Akara Labbede Ningo Abora Quanhoe Bonoe Kammanah Equea Lataby Akaradii Insoka Gaui Aquambou or Aquimena The Kingdoms lying at the Sea are Azin or Atchin Little Inkassan Ante Guaffo Fetu Sabou Fantyn Aghwana Akara Labbede and Mingo all which are commonly visited by the English and Netherlanders chiefly and sometimes by the French which several people have in divers places particular Store-houses and Forts for the keeping of their Wares and for the Conveniency of the Trade which they have built by the permission of the Inhabitants The chiefest Villages lying at the Sea are Atzyn in the Kingdom of Atzyn the Village at Cabo tres-Puntas in Little Inkassan Takorary Botrow Poyera Pando Maque Jakquim Sakonde Sama in the Kingdom of Anten Agitaki or Little Komendo Terra Pequerime or Pekine Dana or De Myn Ampea Kotabry Aborby and two Salt-Villages in that of Guaffo Moure Sabou in the Dominion of Sabou Anemabo Adja Kormantin in that of Fantyn the Rough Poynt Soldiers-Bay Devils Mountain New Biamba Great Berku Inka Koks-bred Little Berku in that of Aywana Akara in Great Akara Labede in Labede The Territory of ATSYN or ATCHIN THe Territory of Atsyn or Atchyn or Aksem The Territory of Atsyn as the Blacks call it hath on the East little Incassan and on the North Igwira the Sea-Coast on the South with Cliffs of Stone Near the Sea three Villages are erected inhabited by Fishers Achombene the one Achorbene three miles from Cape de Tres-Puntas The second Achombene near which the Portugals in the time of King Emanuel built a small Fort but afterwards by agreement with the Blacks they rais'd another greater Castle on the main Land nam'd from the neighbouring Village The Castle of Asyn The Fort Atsyn or Atchin at present possess'd by the Netherlanders who in the Year Sixteen hundred forty two the Ninth of January before the Peace made between them and the Crown of Portugal had dispossess'd the Portugals of what strength they had there Coming at Sea out of the West this Castle in a clear Sun-shiny day yields a pleasant Prospect but coming right against it the sight is hinder'd by an Island lying before it Westward thereof runs a Rivulet which though very poor in Water yet visits several Dominions being supposed to take the original far off in the Golden-Land of Igwira Half a mile from the aforemention'd Fort The River a River passes by some thought to run through the Jurisdiction of Akana but of this no certainty nor any likely to be by reason of its many and strong Water-falls Those of the Myne used to go thither with Canoos which they laded thence with Shells for the burning of Lime but since the like Shells have been found in the Ditches of the Myne that labour is left off The next River bears the name of the Province among Merchant-strangers The Atsyn River but the Inhabitants denominate it Manku whose first sight invited the Traders to search its Channel but they soon had enough of it for they met with so many Shelves and absconded Rocks besides high and precipitious falls that it was impossible to pass them however 't is not altogether waste for the Natives dig out from under the Cliff good store of Gold and fetch it up from under the Water in Trays mixt with Earth Stones and other Rubbish The Territory of Little-Inkassan LIttle-Inkassan hath on the West Atsin The Territory of Inkassan on the North Igwira on the East Ante and in the South spreads with three Points into the Sea and therefore the Portugals have nam'd it Cabo das tres Puntas It lies in four degrees and ten minutes South-Latitude three miles Westward of Atzin Castle and fifteen miles
Woods The Buildings not contemptible especially the Houses of the Gentry yet cover'd with Palm-Leaves and made up of gray Earth The King's Palace is built after the method of that in Benyn but much less The Air proves very unhealthful Unwholsom Air. not onely by reason of the great Heat but also from bad and unwholsom Mists whereof Strangers Trading in the River being ignorant and carelesly lying and sleeping in the Evening or in Moon-shine oftentimes die suddenly The Soyl is so barren Plants that Grass and Corn are strangers to it but it yields many fruitful Trees as those bearing Coco-Nuts sowre and sweet Grapes with divers others also a little Pepper Baranasses in great numbers and Mandihoka of which they make Farinha or Bread By reason of the barrenness of the Fields there are neither Horses nor Cows but Poultrey they have in abundance and very large being roasted eat well Fish also and Sea-Calves whose Flesh dress'd yields a pleasing relish Both Men and Women are of comely Stature and fair Countenances according to the account of Beauty in that Countrey and all marked with three Cuts each something more than an Inch long that is one in the Forehead above the Nose and one on each side of their Head by the Temples and may wear their Hair long or short as they please Their Habit resembles those of Benyn Habit. as to Fashion but commonly made of Silk which the other may not wear fastned under their Arm-pits with a curious Girdle Every one here Marriage as in other parts of Africa may take as many Wives as he will or as he can get and sometimes the King bestows some Widows as a mark of his Favor The Whites come and Trade in the River Forkado Trade with the same sort of Wares as in Benyn which they exchange for Slaves Jasper-Stone and Akori but they hold them in great esteem and will not sell them but above the value They are no quick nor expert Dealers but cheapen a Commodity a whole Moneth onely to beat down the Price but to little purpose because the Merchant rates his Goods according to the value set by the Natives upon their Commodities which he never recedes from The Portuguese us'd in former times to trust them always which the present Traders never do so that they now bring the Slaves when they fetch their Goods The King of Owerre Government though Tributary to Benyn Governs notwithstanding his People with full Power as an absolute Prince and hath a Council consisting of three great Noble-men whose Power and Command none dare oppose The King which Govern'd in the Year Sixteen hundred forty four was a Mulato by the Portuguese and other Europeans call'd Don Anthonio de Mingo whose Father by Name De Mingo was Married to a Portuguese Maid which he brought with him out of Portugal where he had been himself in Person and had this Son born by her He goes like a Portuguese wearing always a Sword or Ponyard by his Side Their Religion comes near that of Benyn Religion onely they do not sacrifice so many Men but esteem it a great abomination and delusion of the Devil so that by a little instruction they might be brought to the Christian Faith They alllow neither Conjurers nor Witches among them In brief both the Inhabitants and the King himself maintain in some measure the Roman Religion There is a Church with an Altar in the City Owerre and on it stands a Crucisix with the Pictures of the Virgin Mary and the Apostles and two Candlesticks besides them into which the Blacks come with Beads like the Portuguese and Read their Prayers They are in general very zealous and can Write and Read and are desirous of Books Pens Ink and Paper The Coast of the Cape of Formosa to the Highland of Amboises AT the East-end of the Kingdom of Owerre Cape of Formosa shoots a prominent Point into the Sea by the Whites call'd Cabo Formosa that is The Fair Cape perhaps for its fair and pleasant appearance at Sea It lieth in the heigth of four Degrees and eight Minutes North Latitude so low and plain that they can discern no Land at five and twenty Fathom Water The Countrey between the River Benyn and Cape Formosa appears a very low Land but full of Trees About a Mile to the Westward a small River takes its course and upon the Banks of the Sea stands a Village call'd Sangma and a sandy Bank Sangma dry at low-Low-water Between this Cape and Rio Reael or Calabare lie seven small Rivers with broken Land The first little and narrow call'd Rio Non Rio Non. about half a Mile Eastward of Cabo Formosa The second Rio Odo in the heighth of four Degrees and ten Minutes Rio Odo four miles from Formosa and three and a half from Rio Non. The third and fourth of a like bigness and not far distant from each other The fifth Rio St. Nicholas Rio St. Nicholas The sixth Rio de tres Jermaus Rio de tret Jermaus The seventh Sambreiro the next to Calabare and spreads North-West Rio Sambreiro All these Rivers are passable onely with Boats and that in the Good Time Are not Navigable as they call it viz. from October to June yet enter the Sea such force that they discernably penetrate it above half a mile In divers Maps and Sea-Cards some others are named as Rio di Tilana Rio de St. Barbara and Rio de St. Bartholomew The Territories of Calabare Krike Moko Bani c. THe Countrey of Calabare lieth near the River of the same Name The Countrey of Calabare and the next Westward to Sambreiro or Sombreiro being about sixteen miles from Cape Formosa This River in some places very shoal The River of Calabare and therefore onely Navigable for small Ketches spreading Northerly and hath within its second Point at the Western-shore a Hamlet Wine-Village call'd by the Whites The Wine-Village from the abundance of Wine there but by the Inhabitants Fokke Then dividing into two Branches one at the Westerly-end the other at the Easterly-shore In the Eastern you find a Road or Haven for Ketches which put into this River for Trade of about two miles and a half in bigness At the North-side of the aforemention'd Branch appears the Village Calabare The Village Calabare the chiefest Place of Trade surrounded after the Countrey manner for Defence with Pallisado's and on the North having a Moorish Ground Southward of this you discover a long low Island full of Trees separated from the Continent onely by a small Pool Eight miles Westward hereof lieth a Hamlet named Belli Govern'd by a Captain Fourteen miles Westward runs the Easterly Branch whose Banks are garnish'd with divers Villages Northward of Calabare Krike a Territory call'd Krike shews it self bordering upon another named Moko Moko Southward of which last Bani at
Fighting they defend themselves from the Enemies Arrows with the flat Sides thereof in stead of a Shield and turn every way with such readiness that they void all the Shafts aimed at them They wear also Ponyards in Scabbards of Serpents-skins in Belts of Elephants-hides three Fingers broad and two thick Some have Shields made of Wood cover'd with the Skin of the Beast Dant They worship the Sun as their chief Deity in the Shape of a Man Religion next to that the Moon in the Figure of a Woman But besides these every one hath his peculiar Idol When they go to Battel they sacrifice to their Idol out of which their Devil speaks very plain and tells them what they must do The Anzikos live under a peculiar King call'd the Great Makoko Government whom they report to possess thirteen Kingdoms making him one of the most Puissant in Africa The Jages have three Governors the first entitul'd Singe the second Kobak and the third Kabango of which every one leads a distinct Army They maintain continual Wars against other Blacks and eat as is before-mention'd all the Slain but sell the Prisoners and in defect of Buyers kill and eat them also Such as desire to List themselves in their Companies must first receive the usual Marks viz. knock out the two upper and the two lower Teeth before and make a hole through the middle of their Noses into which they thrust Feathers There are at present no Jages to be found of the first Race but those that now assume that Name derive their Extract out of the several Countreys wherein they have Warred and been Victorious being chosen thereto in this manner So soon as they have won a Battel The Jages how they are bred they search among the Prisoners for the handsomest Youths of whose Courage they make tryal by shooting at them by and over their Heads Wherein if any discover a fear of the Arrows as Cowards and unfit for Service they knock on the Head and eat but those that appear fearless and undaunted they make holes through their Noses and Ears knock out their Fore-teeth and so bring them up to all Savage Cruelty who by practice at last stray so far from Humanity that they exceed the natural Jages These possess not only this Countrey of Ansiko but wander almost through all Africa although now they have their chief Residence here and in the South-East of Angola The Natural Jages as the Ancientest People of Angola relate are not the Indigene of that Countrey but came many years since with an Army of an hundred thousand out of Serre-Lyons and over-ran the whole Coast beyond the Kingdom of Benguella But finding themselves too weak to make further way and not willing to return they setled hereabouts but not contented with that Resolution they ranged till they came to the Kingdom of Monomotapa who overcame them in a Fight and made them retreat Others contradict this averring it improbable at least that the Jagos should first come out of Serre-Lyons and conquer as far as the Kingdom of Benguella a Tract of above seven hundred Leagues wherein they must pass so many Kingdoms great Rivers and Mountains The Jurisdiction of KAKONGO KAkongo takes beginning in the North at the River Lovango Lovize Boundaries of the Kingdom of Kakongo in about fourteen Degrees and a half South Latitude and borders in the South and West at the Kingdom of Goy and ends at the River Sambo some Miles up in the Countrey The Chief City is pleasant and well built Chief City abounding with all sorts of Provisions From Kakongo Southwards all the Countrey by the Sea-coast for thirteen Miles and for two Miles and a half Northward of the before-mention'd River Lovango Lovize lies very low but afterwards grows Mountainous beyond this rising still higher The Blacks call it Kaskais but the Europeans the Highland of Kaskais about which place a Mile Southerly a great Water falls into the Sea This Kingdom can shew onely one good River The River of Kakongo call'd also Kakongo which mingles with the Sea in five Degrees South Latitude gliding some eighteen Leagues through the Countrey A Mile Southward of this Stream lieth the Village Molemba The Village Molemba upon a great Bay making a convenient Haven or Road for Ships The Countrey thereabouts call'd Little Kaskais spreads the Bay of Cabinde in five Degrees and five and twenty Minutes South Latitude being both before and all along the Coast very Rocky and full of Cliffs yet between the chief City and the River Sonho full of Woods pleasant Fields and high Mountains but cannot boast any Fertility because for the most part untill'd although so Populous that it dares number Inhabitants with Lovango it self The Natives are treacherous Constitution of the Inhabitants revengeful turbulent and quarrelsom yet shew but little Spirit in the Wars all their Neighbours especially those of Goy continually infesting them without fear of revenge and perhaps would utterly destroy them but that the King of Lovango interposes in their behalf whose Mediation in such Cases prevails much with all his Neighbors Trades and Handicrafts are common with these People and those of Lovango Trade such are Husbandry Fishing and dealing in Clothes black stitch'd Caps broad Irons Beetles Hammers or Mattocks Tobacco Red-wood or Takoel and Linnen which Commodities they carry to Congo Sonho and other Places and there exchange for Slaves The Merchandises brought thither out of Europe and desired by the Inhabitants are one and the same with those Vented in Lovango but the Presents given for the permission of Trade are less Their Customs Shape Cloathing Riches Administration of Justice Inheritance Government and Religion differ little or nothing from what we have already described we will not therefore nauseate the Reader with a needless Repetition The King of Cakongo may not touch or wear any European Wares A Command on the King nor dares any habited therewith touch him because forsooth commanded by the Moquisie In all other things agreeing with Lovango At the River Sonho the Kings of Lovango and Cakongo keep a continual Watch to receive the Custom of the travelling Merchant and to observe that none should act any thing prejudicial to the Countrey At the side of the River Cakongo lieth the Territory of Serre or Sarri The Territory of Sarri subject to the King of Cakongo but was some years since for a Mutiny and Rebellion against him in a manner totally laid waste Upon the Edge of this and near neighboring to Goy The Territory of Lemba a Territory call'd Lemba claims a situation being a High-land comprehending onely one Village of the same Name whither the Whites come to Trade for Elephants-Teeth Slaves and Copper the last of which they bring from more adjacent Mynes that produce every year no small quantities The Dominion of GOY. GOy borders in the West upon the Shore on the South
Apartments are Hang'd after the European manner with Hangings of Mats made with exquisite curiosity within the innermost Fence are some Gardens plenteously stor'd with variety of Herbs and Planted with several sorts of Trees within these are some Banquetting-houses whose Building though mean and sleight yet they esteem rich and costly The City boasts ten or eleven Churches that is one great one Churcher being the chief of all then the Seven Lamps Church the Church of the Conception the Church of the Victory or Triumph a fifth dedicated to St. James a sixth to St. Anthony and a seventh to St. John the other three stand within the Court-Walls viz. the Church of the Holy Ghost of St. Michael and St. Joseph The Jesuits have here a Cloyster Cloyster where they Teach and Instruct every day the Blacks in the Christian Faith in an easie and winning method Here are also Schools Schools where Youths are brought up and taught the Latine and Portuguese Tongues All these Churches and other publick Erections except the Jesuits Cloyster have the Foundations of Stone but cover'd with Straw and very meanly provided with Utensils for celebrating Divine Offices There are also two Fountains one in St. James Street Fountains and the other within the Walls of the Court both yielding good and sweet Fountains of Water A small River or rather a Branch of Lelunde call'd Vese The River Vese affording very good and well tasted Water flows in the East at the Foot of the Mountain close by the City to the great benefit of the Inhabitants for from thence the Slaves both Men and Women fetch Water daily to serve the Town The adjacent Fields by this River are made very pleasant and fruitful and therefore the Citizens have all their Gardens upon its Banks What Cattel they have are Pastur'd and kept for the most part in the City as Hogs and Goats a few Sheep but no Cows which lie in the Nights closed in with Fences joyning to their Houses Rivers which water this Kingdom Rivers descending from North to South are first Rio de las Borrenas Roxas that is The River of red Sand another at whose Mouth lieth a Street call'd in Portuguese Bacas de las Almadias that is The Gulf of Canoos Here lie three Islands the greatest and middlemost of them inhabited and provided with a convenient Haven for small Barques but the other without People harbouring onely Beasts After these The River Zair Southwards you may see the great River of Zair which according to Pigafet derives its Head out of three Lakes the first by the same Pigafet and others entituled Zambre the second Zair and the third a great Lake from whence the Nyle is supposed to draw his Original as out of the second Rise out of which the Lelunde and Coanze run but Zambre is the principal Head that feeds the River Zair being set as it were in the middle Point of Africa and spreading it self with broad Streams into the North whither according to common Opinion it sends forth Nylus to the East the great River Cuama and Coavo to the South those of Zeila Manice or Manhessen and lastly to the West this of Zair which dividing it self into several Branches moisten and pinguifies the Western part of South Africa Congo Angola Monopotapo Matamam Bagamadiri Agasymba and so to the Cape of Good Hope whereas the Nyle Cuama Coavo Zeila Manice spread over the whole Abyssine Countreys and all others on the Sea-Coast from the Mouth of the Red-Sea to the River Cuama and therein the Kingdoms of Melinda Barnacassus Quilor Mombaza Mozimba Mombara Membaca Mozambico and other strange Lands The River of Zair breaks forth with an opening above three Leagues in breadth in the Elevation of five Degrees and forty Minutes and with so great force and abundance of Water runs into the Sea that the fresh Stream coming out West-North-west and North-east and by North makes an impression therein above twelve Leagues and when you are out of sight of Land yet the Water appears black and full of heaps of Reeds and other things like little floating Islands which the force of the Stream pouring from high Cliffs tears out of the Countrey and throws into the Ocean so that the Sea-men without a stiff Gale of Wind can hardly Sail through it to get into the Road within Padron on the South-side of the River This violent and precipitate descent carries the Stream against you fourteen or fifteen miles It sends forth on both sides many Branches or Rivers to the great convenience both of the Inhabitants and foreign Tradesmen who thereby in Boats and Canoos pass from one Town to another In the Towns seated on these out-stretched Arms dwell People small of Stature probably Pigmies The Islands Bomma and Quintalla lie in the Mouth of this River In Zair Le several Islands and others higher upwards exceeding full of People who rebelling against the King of Congo set up peculiar Lords of their own That of Bomma has Mynes of Iron The Island of Bommo and though boasting many Inhabitants yet shews few or no Houses because of the Morassness of the Countrey which for the most part lieth under Water so that the Blacks with Canos go from Tree to Tree among which they have raised some places made of Leaves and Boughs on which they reside and rest themselves without any Coverture These Islanders appear strong yet well set live very beastially The Manners of the Islanders are great Sorcerers speak ore tenus with the Devil in doing of which at first they come together all on a heap and afterwards one of them runs about with a Vizard on this continues three days which expir'd they use another Ceremony and then the Fiend speaks through the vizarded Man They live in peaceable Times by bartering in time of Wars they deal in nothing but Weapons Arrows Bowes and Assagays or Lances They have no Marriages or Betrothing Marriage but from their Youth up go one to another as their Affections or Lusts lead them commixing meerly like Beasts without any Solemnity for they know Laws of no Chastity but take as many Concubines as they please nevertheless the first being the eldest hath the command and supervising over all the rest In the Island Quuntalla is an Idol made of Money which none dare approach An Idol of Money in Quuntalla but the Servants or Minister appointed to attend and take care to secure the Way to it from being discover'd themselves being obliged as often as they go thither to take a peculiar Path that no other may find Many Kings and People sacrifice to this Idol especially in Sickness several of their most costly and highest priz'd Goods which none are permitted to make use of but by length of time decay and rot for as soon as they are dedicated the Attendant carries them into a great Plain where the Idol stands surrounded with a
and hath fifteen and sixteen Foot Water so that the great Ships may come before it About the North Point of Katon-belle lieth the Good Bay Good Bay so call'd by reason of its ground of Anchoring The Countreys upon the Sea-Coast are fruitful and low but the In-lands high and overgrown with Woods A mile and a half from Katon-belle you discover a fresh River that falls into the Sea but in the times of Rain The Bay of Benguella having good Ground for Ships to ride at an Anchor reaches from one Point to the other a mile and a half in breadth On the North-side stands the Foot of Benguelle built four-square with Pallizado's and Trenches and surrounded with Houses which stand in the shadow of Bananos Orange Lemon Granate-Trees and Bakovens Behind this Fort is a Pit with fresh Water Here lie seven Villages that pay to those of Bengala the tenth part of all they have for Tribute The first Melonde the second Peringe both about a League from the Fort Under Benguelle are seven Villages and a mile one from another the other five are Maniken Somba Maninomma Manikimsomba Pikem and Manikilonde of all which Manikisomba is the biggest and can bring three thousand Men into the Field Here formerly lived some Portuguese which afterwards out of fear of the Blacks fled to Massingan but were most of them kill'd in the way On the West Point of the Bay of Benguelle is a flat Mountain call'd in Portuguese Sombriero from its shape representing afar off a three-corner'd Cap and by it an excellent Bay having at the South-east-side a sandy Shore with a pleasant Valley and a few Trees but no Water fit to drink Four miles from thence they have a Salt-Pan which produces of gray Salt like French Salt as much as the adjacent Countreys can spend In Bengala is a great Beast The Beast Abada call'd Abada as big as a lusty Horse having two Horns one sticking out in his Forehead and another behind in his Neck that in the Forehead is crooked but smooth rises sloaping before and very sharp but at the Root as thick as an ordinary Man's Leg being many times one two three or four Foot long but that in the Neck shorter and flatter of colour black or a sad gray but being fil'd appears white the Head not so long as the Head of a well-shaped Horse but shorter and flatter with a Skin Hair'd like a Cow and a Tail like an Ox but short a Mayn like a Horse but not so long and cloven Feet like a Deers but bigger Before this Beast hath attained the full growth the Horn stands right forward in the midst of the Forehead but afterwards grows crooked like the Elephant's-Teeth When he drinks he puts his Horn first in the Water for prevention as they say against Poyson The Horn they report to be an excellent Medicine against Poyson The Horn is good against Poyson as hath oftentimes been proved but they find more efficacy in one than another occasioned by the timely and untimely killing of the Creature The trial of their goodness the Portuguese make in this manner They set up the Horn with the sharp end downwards on a Floor and hang over it a Sword with the Point downwards so as the Point of the one may touch the end of the other If the Horn be good and in its due season or age then the Sword turns round of it self but moves not over untimely and bad Horns The Bones of this Beast ground small and with Water made into Pap they prescribe as a Cure against inward Pains and Distempers being applied outwardly Plaister-wise The Kingdom of MATAMAN or rather CLIMBEBE THe Kingdom of Mataman Name commonly so call'd took that Denomination from its King the proper and right Name according to Pigafet being Climbebe or Zembebas Its Borders Borders as the same Author Linschot Peter Davitius and other Geographers hold in the North upon Angola Eastwards on the Westerly Shore of the River Bagamadiri to the South it touches upon the River Bravagul by the Foot of the Mountains of the Moon near the Tropick of Capricorn which the chiefest Geographers make a Boundary between this Kingdom and those Mountains and the Countrey of the Kaffers to the West along the Ethiopick-Sea that is from Angola or Cabo Negro in sixteen Degrees South Latitude to the River Bravagul a Tract of five Degrees and fifteen Minutes every Degree being reckon'd fifteen great Dutch Leagues or threescore English Miles Two Rivers chiefly water this Kingdom Rivers viz. Bravagul and Magnice the first takes its original out of the Mountains of the Moon Linschot or the River Zair and unites its Waters with those of Magnice springing out of a Lake by the Portuguese call'd Dambea Zocche and falling in the South-east into the indian-Indian-Sea The Places of this Kingdom coasting the Sea are these Next the Black Cape right Eastward you may see the beginning of the Cold Mountains Mountains of the Moon on some Places for the abundance of Snow with which they lie cover'd are call'd The Snowy Mountains Then you come to the Crystal Mountains Crystal Mountains that shoot Northerly to the Silver Mountains and to Molembo by which the River Coari hath its course and makes a Border to the Kingdom of Angola At the Southerly Coast of Cymbebas near the Sea Calo Negro in sixteen Degrees and sixty Minutes South Latitude appeareth Cabo Negro or The Black Point so denominated because of its blackness whereas no other black Land can be seen from the one and twentieth Degree South Latitude On the top of this Point stands an Alabaster Pillar with an Inscription but so defaced by the injuries of Time and Weather that it is hardly legible and formerly upon the Head of it a Cross raised but at present fall'n off and lying upon the Ground The Coast from hence spreads a little North-east and East-North-east The spreading of the Coast The Countrey round about shews nothing but barren and sandy Hills without green and high sandy Mountains without any Trees More Southerly in the heighth of eighteen Degrees you come to a Point by the Portuguese call'd Cabo de Ruy piz das Nivez or Cabo de Ruy Pirez having to the Northward a great Inlet with sandy Hills and the Shore to the Black Point but Southward a High-land altogether sandy and reacheth to nineteen Degrees Farther to the South in nineteen Degrees and thirty Minutes lies a Bay call'd Golfo Prio and Prias das Nevas with double Land and full of Trees afterwards you come to the open Haven of Ambros in the one and twentieth Degree then going lower to the Southward the Sea-Coast resembles what we mention'd in the North shewing high white sandy Hills barren Land and a bad Shore A good way to the Westward of Cabo Negro lies a great Sand in the Sea in Portuguese call'd Baixo de Antonia de Viava or The
Cazado dangerous to Sailers being sometimes cover'd with Water The Air bears a good temper and the Earth though sandy towards the Sea yet affords all things necessary for the use of Man The Mountains rich not onely in Crystal but other Minerals Northerly it becomes more full of Trees to the heighth of two and twenty Degrees South Latitude from whence there drives into the Sea a hundred and fifty Miles from the Shore certain green Weeds call'd Saigossa and seems as a Mark to Sea-men whereby they know how near they are to the Main Land of Africa At a great distance also are seen many Mews or Sea-Pies with black Feathers at the end of their Wings which assure the Mariners by their appearance two or three together that they are infallibly near the African Continent The Government of this Jurisdiction rests in the hands of a King Government who as an absolute Monarch Commands all at his pleasure yet some Lords whose Commands lie by the Sea-shore pride themselves with the empty Title of Kings while they neither possess Wealth or Countreys whose Products are sufficient to make them known to Foreigners of the least esteem Kaffrarie or the Countrey of Kaffers otherwise call'd Hottentots KAffrarie The Countrey of the Kaffers or according to Marmol Quefrerie took Denomination from the Kaffers the Natives thereof which others name Hottentots by reason of their lameness and corruption of Speech without either Law or Religion Maginus spreads this Countrey along the Sea-Coast from the West-side of Cabo Negro lying in sixteen Degrees and fourteen Minutes to Cape of Good Hope or Cabo de bona Esperansa and from thence up Northward to the River Magnice otherwise call'd St. Esprit but with what ground of reason we must leave to de determin'd Sanutus begins Kaffrarie at the Mountains of the Moon near the Tropick of Capricorn in three and twenty Degrees and a half South Latitude so along the Western Coast to the Cape of Good Hope This beginning of Kaffrarie according to most Authors Davitii Lahasse Ethiopie p. 475. from that remarkable Boundary the Tropick of Capricorn hath been indisputably setled but they spread the end of it as we said to the Cape of Good Hope and Zanguebar Between which Northward along the Sea-Coast are none or very few distinct Kingdoms and therefore this being the outermost Southern Borders may not inconveniently be extended to Zanguebar so that the whole Tract lying Southward of Zanguebar and the Kingdom of Monomotapa are to be understood in the general Name of Kaffrarie So then according to this last limiting it hath on the East and South the Indian and in the West the Ethiopick-Sea which meet together to the Southward of the Cape of Good Hope and on the North at Mataman and Monopotapa This Countrey so Bounded lieth encompassed in the North with those high cold bushy and sharp Mountains of the Moon always cover'd with Snow nevertheless it hath about the Cape in some places several large and pleasant Valleys into which flow divers Rivulets from the Hills It is not divided into any particular or known Kingdoms yet inhabited by several People some Govern'd by Kings others by Generals and some are without any Government at all We will give you a glimpse of them in their Customs and Natures as far as any Discovery hath hitherto given us any information and that from the hands of such as for some time lived on the Spot The chiefest People hitherto discover'd in this Southerly part of Africa are the Gorachouqua's Goringhaiqua's Goringhaikona's Kochoqua's Great and Little Kariguriqua's Hosaa's Chaniouqua's Kobona's Sonqu's Namaqua's Heusaqua's Brigoudins and Hankumqua's the eight first neighbor the Cape and the farthest not above threescore miles from it The three first viz. Gorachouqua's and Goringhaiqua's have their Dwellings within four or five hours Journey of the Great Cape but the Gorinhaikona's or Water-men are within a quarter of an hours walk from thence GORINGHAICONAS THe Goringhaicona's or Water-men have a Governor call'd Demtaa who was once taken Prisoner by the Hollanders but was afterwards by carrying himself with Civility released and setled in his old Dominion Their best Seat contains scarce five Houses and not above fifty People with Women and Children living in a condition of Poverty below all the rest of the Hottentots GORACHOUQUAS THe Gorachouqua's are about three or four hundred fighting Men besides Women and Children and maintain themselves by Pasturage and Profit of good Cattel as Sheep and Cows Their Governor call'd Chora hath a Brother call'd Jakin both going in tallow'd Skins but they have great store of Cattel GORINHAIQUAS THe Goringhaiqua's or Cape-mans by reason that they always lived nearest to it are more than equal in People to those last mention'd for they can between both raise about a thousand fighting Men yet all their Towns and Villages make up but ninety five poor Huts cover'd with Mats These People obey a Governor whom they call Gogosoa who was in the Year Sixteen hundred sixty two according to the averment of such as had been there a hundred years of age and had two Sons the eldest nam'd Osinghiakanna and the other Otegnoa both which alway sought to over-Rule their Father but chiefly the eldest by inventing all means to make him away In the Year Sixteen hundred fifty nine The original of the War between the Gorinbaiqua's and the Notherlanders there grew between these People and the Hollanders a Dissention for the possession of the Countrey about the Cape where the Natives endeavor'd to turn them out alledging they had possessed it beyond all remembrance and with such malice did they manage it that they slew many of the Dutch when they saw opportunity at the same time robbing them also of Cattel which they drove away so swift that they could not be shot always chusing to Fight in stormy and rainy Weather as well knowing that then they could do but little Execution with their Arms. These upon information received by advice of one of their own People by them call'd Nomoa and by the Netherlanders Doman who went from thence to Battavie in one of the Companies Ships and stay'd there five or six years observing their actions with such inquisitive diligence that he remembred no small part thereof Doman being come again to the Cape in those Ships which were order'd for Holland kept a great while amongst them in Dutch Habit but at last betook himself to his old Companions informing and instructing them in all the actions and intentions of the Netherlanders as also the manner and use of their Arms. He together with another stout Soldier by the Hottentots call'd Garabinga were always their Captains and with great skill and conduct led on and brought off their followers always with success After the War had continued three Moneths A Skirmish between five Hottentots and five Netherlanders in August Sixteen hundred fifty and nine on a Morning went out five Hottentots one of
their Ancestors brought with them Madagaxo or Magodoxo AS you Travel more Northerly towards the Red-Sea you come to the Kingdom of Magadaxo which hath been formerly so powerful that all the Mahumetans on this Coast were subject to it The Countrey spreads it self according to Urette betwixt ninety and a hundred Leagues in breadth but he seems to include therein the Kingdom of Adea This Territory produces great abundance of Barley with variety of Fruits and feeds huge Droves of Horses and other Cattel Some of the Inhabitants are brown some black and some white yet notwithstanding this difference of complexion they agree in Language all speaking Arabick The Head City Madagaxo hath gain'd the repute of great Wealth by the Trade of the Kambayan and Aden Merchants bringing thither all sorts of Clothes Drugs and Spices and receiving from thence in Barter Gold Ivory and Wax They use in their Wars no other Arms but poyson'd Arrows The Kingdom of Adea THe Kingdom of Adea begins in the middle of Adel on the Main Land Borders bordering in the South at Madagaxo in the West at Oyja belonging to Abyssinie in the North at Adel and Eastward border'd with the Indian-Sea The most famous Place of this Realm hath the Name Barraboa that is The good Shore though it be somewhat distant from the Sea and in passing to it you go up against the Stream in a Skiff by an Arm of the River Oby or Quilmanzi The Dominion of Granze comes next having for Limits the Kingdom of Oyja Xoa and Gorage then Barra Maa which is Bad Shore because no Ships can come near it At last upon the Skirts of this Realm you find a Place call'd Ogabra Ograbra This Countrey hath many great Woods insomuch that the Inhabitants are forced to cut down the Trees to make the Ways Nature hath served them with a plentiful hand so that they want no Provision having extraordinary Herds of Cattel They have a peculiar Mahumetan Prince Government but dependent upon the Abyssine Emperor to whom he pays Tribute The Inhabitants in general are zealous of Mahomet's Superstition Religion but those of Granze are partly Idolaters and partly Christians Adel or Zeila THe Kingdom of Adel Borders so call'd by the Portuguese but by the Natives Zeila lying at the Sea-shore borders in the North at the Beglierbeyat or Provinces of the Bassa of Suaquen near the Straits of Meche in the South at Adea in the West upon Fatigar in Abyssinie and in the East at the Indian Sea Pigafet makes the Southermost Places of this Kingdom to be Meth and Barbosa together with a part of the Arabian Gulf and the Cape of Guardafu It extends in length from Zeila to the Cape of Guardafu Bigness along the Sea-coast seventy two Miles and from Guardafu along the Eastern Coast about eight and forty but in breadth fifty six The Chief City of this Kingdom is Ara situate in nine Degrees North Latitude by some call'd Arika Gurrele but by Marmol Arat who places the same eighteen Miles from Zeila he settles also here the Royal City Adel and the Towns Orgabra Migiate Sequeta Bali Mautra Doara Komizara Novecara and Soceli On the Sea-coast Pigafet tells of a small Place nam'd Asuin or Affion well stored with Provision but wanting a Haven and so consequently little frequented by Merchants Then follows the Cape of Guardafu or Guardafuy by many taken for the Aromata of Ptolomy lying in twelve Degrees and a half North Latitude and very famous because the Easterly Coast of Africa ends there It lies almost at the entrance of the Arabian Gulf so that the Ships which come out of India and will go to Aden and Ziden or to Zeila and Barbara Sail close by it On the Coast of Adel appears a Place call'd Salie which Sanutus takes for that which Ptolomy denominates Mosilon Next to Salir follows Barbara and Meth the first lieth to the North on the Shore of the Red Sea eleven Miles from the City Zeila the latter according to Sanutus a small City Afterwards cometh Zeila one of the best Places on this Coast being in eleven Degrees and twenty Minutes North Latitude six and twenty Miles saith Marmol from the Straits of Meche This City though built on a low and Sandy Ground boasts not onely a large Extent but a very convenient Haven for Ships It stands within the Kingdom of Adel in the Province Baragian which includes the two other small Jurisdictions of Dalacha and Malacha all under the Obedience of the Turks The Houses in Zeila are built of Stone and the Streets curiously Pav'd and daily frequented with Swarms of People The In-land Countreys of Adel lie even and plain The nature of the Soil onely here and there some easie and pleasant Ascents The Plains yield plentiful Returns to the Labouring and Industrious Husbandman answering his Expectation in the abundant Product both of Plants and Beasts having withal the River Haoax which takes its original out of that vast Range of Mountains on the Borders of Xaoa and Ogge and feeds the lesser Stream of Mach with Water Some have not stuck to aver it to be little inferior to the Nile but nothing near so long because it overflows not above six thousand Paces Neither doth it reach how full of Water so ever it be to the Sea but is quite drank up by the dry and thirsty Earth before it cometh so far The City Zeila hath no fresh Water within two days Journey nor other Ground than Sand but the Fields at further distance afford such Plenty of all things that out of this Haven and that of Barbara on the same Coast Ships Transport Provisions to feed Adom and Ziden especially Corn Beans Barley and Oyl not press'd out of Olives but extracted from the Seed of a Plant call'd Zerzelin or Gerzeluin or Grugioline but indeed no other than Sesamos Beasts breeding here are Sheep of two sorts Beasts one with Tails of twenty five pound weight black Necks and Heads and the remainder of their Bodies white the other quite white with Tails as long as a Mans Arm and crooked as a Vine-Branch Some of their Cows have Horns like a Stag black Hair and wilde others are red but with one Horn on their Foreheads of a Span and a half long but turning backwards The Inhabitants as far as Barbara are Olivaster-colour'd Nature of the Inhabitants but from thence more to the North about Zeila and Barrazan they grow much blacker naturally quarrelsom and apt to make Wars upon any trivial occasion They go cover'd from their Navel to their Knees with Cotton but the upper part of their Bodies remain naked onely Persons of Quality wear Coats which in Arabick they call Bernuz This Dominion possesses much Gold and Ivory besides such a liberal Provision of Victuals that they feed their Neighbors of several other Countreys They vend also Clothes Myrrhe Pepper and Slaves The Merchants of Cambaya and
in former times the Red-Sea overflow'd all Egypt and by its Water took away the colour from the green springing Soyl but after the Water began to fall away and lessen it remain'd at length with so little moisture that the Sun-beams which shine down in that place with very great power make a reflexion of the red Sand from the bottom which seeming to give a tincture to the Water from its ruddiness gave the occasion of denominating it the red-Red-Sea though Pliny will have it from a King who Reigned here and in Greek was call'd Erithreos that is Red. To this Opinion inclin'd Pomponius Mela Aristotle and others But Quintus Curtius is of a contrary Judgment maintaining that this Sea was call'd the Red-Sea from the Egyptians who were drown'd in it when they pursu'd the Israelites in the Year after the Creation Two thousand three hundred fifty and four according to the computation of Michael Zapuler in his Description of the Holy Land Johannes de Castro formerly Vice-Roy to the King of Portugal in the Indies affirms that the red colour of this Sea ariseth from the great quantity of Corral growing at the bottom Others that the Rivers which pour into this in the midst of Winter having flow'd through Countreys of a red colour'd Earth make the Water seem red and consequently gave it the Name Certain it is that all the Water is like that in the great Sea and saltish In this Sea befell the Miracle which the holy Scriptures mention when Moses with his Rod commanded a Way for the passage of the Israelites to the number of six hundred thousand Men Women and Children not reckon'd and wherein Pharaoh in pursuit of them as he supposed flying twelve thousand Foot-Soldiers and fifty thousand Horsemen were swallow'd In this Sea are many strange and remarkable things as Trees growing Branches of Corral Mushroms Meremaids flying Fishes and other wondrous Creatures But how great diligence soever they have used none could ever take any of them although common and at all times seen along the Coast for the Egyptians believe that they and theirs by the killing such a Creature should die within a year as they say they have found by experience And out of that conceit when in the Year Sixteen hundred thirty one one was taken alive in the Nyle by the City Rosetta the Bey or Governor of the City commanded it presently to be put into the Water again though a Venetian had bought it for five and twenty Piasters and rather than incur the hazard return'd him his Money Gaspar de San Bernardino in his Journey to the Indies by Land saith the Entrances into the red-Red-Sea lie in twelve Degrees and forty Minutes being no other than two Points of Land one on Africa side call'd Rosbel and the other on the Coast of Arabia lying right over against it nam'd Ara. In the midst of the Passage lieth the Island Mium between which and the Main Land of Asia runneth a Channel nine or ten Yards deep and a large League broad as another on Africa side shoots down to the depth of sixteen Yards but useless because it hath no convenient Haven for Ships and many dangerous Shelves and Banks From this Port inwards the Sea widens all along till towards the end where it grows narrower and narrower the broadest part is not above thirty Leagues or Spanish Miles Petrus della Valla a Noble-man of Rome in the second Part of his Travels describes the Red-Sea as followeth In some places of the Red-Sea unpassable for its shallowness they gather up a finer sort of Corral than the common especially useful to be set in deep Caves and Grotts because it represents perfectly the shapes of little Trees with great delight to the Eyes of curious beholders In these Vegetables many times by varying colours or transparency Nature plays and sports it self with great curiosity The Inhabitants of these Parts pass this Sea in little Barques made of Planks joyn'd together not with Nails but certain Pitcht Towe Many Commodities are brought in these Boats to Cairo which the Proprietors take in pieces afterwards and sell the Planks at dear Rates and then return home by Land to their Houses This way of building Boats without Iron-Nails seems to be no Novelty considering Strabo the Geographer many Ages since speaks of Leather-Boats used by the Arabians for pastime in the Red-Sea As also of some other made of Osiers and Brush-wood with which the Egyptians passed over the Nyle I somewhat marvel'd says the foremention'd Petrus della Valla at the Name this Sea beareth for that it is not as the Black-Sea which is so call'd from the blackness or muddiness of the Water For the Water of this is so clear and pure that Men may see to the bottom and shews afar off like other Seas The Sand is also like that of other Seas so that it hath borrow'd its Name no otherwise than from the King Erithreos who as Strabo saith lieth buried in an Island of the South-Sea and hath given the Name of Red to the whole and not onely to the Arabian Gulf but whether so or no we will not dispute but content our selves that the holy Scriptures calleth it so in several places Upper-Ethiopia Or the EMPIRE of ABYSSINE Otherwise call'd PRESTER-JOHN'S-COUNTREY AByssine Name otherwise Prester-John's Countrey is by Marmol call'd The Kingdom of the Abixins or Abexin or rather Abassia or Abaxia and Habas or Elhabas as the Coast of the Red-Sea the Coast of Abex The name Abyssine derives its Original either from the Inhabitants by the Arabians call'd Abassi or Habasschi and by adding the Arabian Particle El comes to Elhabashi as that by the alteration of the guttural Letters makes Abassinia and Abyssines or from the people Abassenos which divers of the Antients among whom Stephanus in his Book of the Cities Davity placeth in Arabia Felix supposing they came from Africa over thither Some imagine that they took denomination from a Territory of Ethiopia nam'd Abyssi lying under the Jurisdiction of Prester-John under that Title including Ethiopia below Egypt mention'd by Ptolomy Terra Cinnamomifera or The Cinnamon Land of the Antients a great part of the Troglodytian Arabia with some of Libya AETHIOPIA SUPERIOR vel INTERIOR vulgo ABISSINORUM sive PRESBITERIIOANNIS IMPERIOR Notwithstanding all these losses and dismembrings the common Vogue stretches it to that vast magnitude as makes it exceed all Europe having in circumference above seventeen hundred Dutch and according to Pigafet four thousand Spanish miles but we dare be bold to aver that at this day it doth not exceed Spain alone in bigness and that in Africa are many other Kings which possess many more Kingdoms and are of greater power than this so much famed Abyssine To reduce then this unsettlement to some certainty Bigness the length taken from Egypt or rather from Bugia and Nubia to the Kingdom of Monomotapa Pigafet reckons to five hundred and Cluverius to five
from a neighboring Fort by them Built on the Land But the Inhabitants call it Tolonghare scituate between two Points the one call'd Itapere in five and twenty degrees and thirty minutes South-Latitude and the other the Point of Dauphin-Bay in five and twenty degrees and ten minutes Next follows the Inlet of Ranoufouthi by the Portuguese call'd The Bay of the Gallions there The Bay of Karemboule thirty Miles from the Fort of Dauphin On the South Point you find but one known Bay to which the Hollanders have given the name of Sun-Bay The discovery of the places at the Sea Coast from the Point of Antongill Southerly to the Bay of St. Augustine the French ascribe to themselves having since the Year One thousand six hundred and forty settled and Fortifi'd in the Territory of Carkanossi on the Southside and there Built the beforemention'd Fort Dauphin thereby commanding the Inland parts from the Countrey of Vohitsanghombe in nineteen degrees South-Latitude to the South end of the Island comprising the Dominions of Vohitsanghombe Gringdrane Anachimoussi Matatam Antaware or Mananzary Ambohitsmene Ehall Emboulou the little Isle Nossi Hibrahim or St. Mary Maskareigne the Territory of Lamanouf Ivourbon Itomampo Anamboule Ikondre Albssak the Grape Island the Valley of Amboulle the Lordship of Anossi or Androbeizaha Ampatre Karemboule Machikoeo Mahalle Ivoronheok Houlouwe and Siveth The Portuguese in the Year Fifteen hundred and six put in for this Island in their Voyages to the East-Indies and discover'd many places near the Sea and after them the Hollanders but neither of them penetrated so far as the French The Territory of ANOSSI or CARKANOSSI otherwise ANDROBEIZAHA THis Territory lying in five and twenty degrees and eighteen minutes Borders extending from Manatengha to the River Mandrerey in twenty six degrees Many Rivers have their passage through it Rivers as Franshere Akondre Imanhal Manambatori Manghafia Harougazarak Fautak and Sama most of which pay their Tributary Waters to Franshere This River The River Franshere otherwise call'd Ravenatte or Imours takes original out of the Mountain of Manghare in five and twenty degrees and eighteen minutes South-Latitude two small miles from Fort Dauphin falling into the Sea having first receiv'd the Water of many small Brooks as Akondre Imanhal Manamboaa Andravoulle and some other The Water of this River about a mile up in the Countrey is always brackish and at the Mouth makes a Lake or Pool call'd Ambove of a large half mile broad and deep enough to bear a Ship It feeds many Crocodiles as all the other Rivers of this Island Half a mile from the Mouth of Franshere lieth Cape St. Romain so nam'd by the French but by the Blacks Rancratte or Hehohale which shews six or seven Leagues into the Sea from the North-West Next this Cape appears a great Creek in form of a Cross extending to the Point of the River call'd Dian Pansonge or Fitorah in the middle of Tolanghare an Isle shews it self to the Northward of which you may see the Fort Dauphin and behind that the Haven of the same name From thence to Cape St. Romain the Coast bears the name of Sivoure from a Lake made by five or six small Brooks meeting therein which in time of great Rain overflows the adjacent Grounds The other Point of Dauphin-Bay is Cape Itapere next which follows the Bay of Lonkar in five and twenty degrees affording a commodious and safe Harbor for Ships and other Vessels to Ride there onely the coming in is dangerous by reason of obscure Rocks Adjoyning to this lies the Island St. Clare so styl'd by the French being a small Spot before the Haven Then passing a little forward you discover the River Manghafia able to bear good Ships at the Mouth being twenty four degrees and a half and taking original out of the Mountain Siliva Half a mile North Westward glides the small River Harangazavah and a mile and a half further that of Monambalou famous for the Rocks lying in its Mouth This Territory hath many Islands full of rich Meadows fit for the Pasturing of Cattel and the Countrey round about very fertile in the producing all sorts of Provision yielding to the curious eye a pleasant Prospect surrounded with high Mountains and Checker'd with fruitful Plains beautifully varied with delightful and easie rising Summits By the Shore of the River Franshere and the other Rivers lie many Villages the chiefest of which are Franshere Imanhal Cokomabes Andravoulle Ambometanaba Mazomamou Imouze Mazofoutouts Hatare and Fananghaa besides a great number of others Eight Miles from Fort Dauphin lies a Tract of Land call'd Vohitsmassian Vohitsmassian that is The Lucky Mountain by which the Portuguese formerly had a Fort with several Dwellings below it and Gardens with all sorts of Provisions but were at last surpriz'd and massacred by the Natives Four Miles from the beforenam'd Fort lies a naked Mountain and other neighboring Hills oftentimes digg'd by the French in hopes to find Gold or Silver but chiefly by a place where seven clear Springs rise one by another and make a Brook wherein they found many Stones mixt with a Clay or yellow Earth full of white and black Clods shining like Silver but being beaten and cleans'd was found too light Thirty Fathom above the Springs the Grass and other Plants have chang'd their natural Verdure into a fading yellow which proceeds from the sulphurous Vapors of inclos'd Minerals but on the top of the Mountain all things remain fresh and green They say the Portuguese formerly at the foot of this Mountain towards the North by digging found Gold but since their extirpation the Great ones of the Countrey have fill'd up the place This Territory comprehends two sorts of people viz. Whites and Blacks the first subdivided into three Clans nam'd Rohandrians Anakandrians and Onzatsi the last distinguish themselves into four Tribes that is Voadziri Lohavohits Ontsea and Ondeves The Whites which have come hither within these last hundred and fifty years name themselves Zafferahimini from the Mother of Mahomet call'd Himina or as others the Stock of Ramini whom they account their Predecessors or from Ramnaina Wife of Rahourod Father of Rahari and Rakouvatsi The Rohandrians are those out of which they choose their King whom they call Ompiandrian or Dian Bahouache the whole number of them being the chief Nobility and reverenc'd as Princes The Anakandrians are extracted from the Nobles but Illegitimate or else sprung from a Rohandrian Man and Woman either the Blacks the Anakandrians or the Onzatsi Those they intitle Ontampassemaka that is People of the Sand of Mecha from whence they say they are come with the Rohandrians These Anakandrians have a reddish Skin and wear long Hair Curl'd like the Rohandrians both these have the priviledge to slaughter any Cattel The Onzatsi being the meanest have their Extract from the Bastards of Anakandrians or else from the Race of the Sea-men which the Zafferamini or their Predecessors
small Rivers lying two Miles distant from each other and take their original out of the neighboring Mountains The Faroan three Miles from the Itapaulominthiranou is a great River and Navigable for a Bark on whose Banks the Whites of Manouffi have seated themselves Lamohorik or Morombei three small Miles from Faraon comes out of the High-Land six or seven Miles towards the West Manataraven a small River lieth about six Miles from Morombei The Territory of Antavare Manouffi and Vobitsmene NOrthward of Matatane followeth Antavare scituate in one and twenty degrees and an half South-Latitude and extending to the Cape Manouffi delightfully Water'd by the Mananzau a large and fair River issuing from the steep Ascents of Ambohitsmene or the Mountains lying North and by East The Territory of Manouffi reacheth from the Cape of the same denomination to the River Mananghourou fifteen Miles more Northerly between which Cape and River lie three other Rivers Andredi Tenasatamamou and Tentamimi Antavane produces plenty of Rice Ignames Bananoes Sugar-Canes Honey Oxen Goats with all sorts of Fowl and Victual The Territory of Ambohitsmene lieth North and by West from Antavare and takes name from the aforesaid high Red Mountain in nineteen degrees and a half or twenty South-Latitude which may be seen fifteen Leagues off at Sea resembling Table-Mount at the Cape of Good Hope This ledge of Hills runs fifteen French Miles to the In-land between which and the Sea the Land appears very low Marshy and full of Lakes among which one of above fifteen Miles long and broad Upon these Mountains the people of Famantara have Zaffarahong for their place of Residence which place abounds with Gold Iron Cattel Rice Sugar-Canes Ignames Silk Clothes and other Necessaries Twelve Miles from Mananghorou Avibaha enters the Sea The River Avibaha being perhaps an Out-let of the aforesaid Lake Three Miles from thence the River Tsatsack and three other Foutchurao and a Mile and half onward Ivorhon pours down into a Bay by the Inhabitants call'd Tametavi but by the French Mariners Port aux prunes that is Plumb-Haven The Territory from Tametavi to the Bay of Antongil that is to the Countrey of Vouloulou the Long-Point the Lordship of Andouvoulhe with the Bay of Manghabei or Antongil THese Countreys begin at the Haven of Tametavi or Plumb-Haven lying in eight degrees and a half and spreading by the Sea Coast to the Bay of Antongil in the Language of the Countrey call'd Manghabei in fifteen degrees South-Latitude to the Land-wards inclos'd with the Mountains of Vohits-anghombe and Ansianach After the Plumb-Haven they have four small Rivers Fautack Faha Faho and Maroharats distant a small mile each from another After that Anacchinquets making a deep Haven with a good Sandy bottom but open to the North-East East and South-East Winds Three small Miles Northerly The Territory of Voulouilou you discover Longue-Point The Countrey about moisten'd by the River Voulouilou Five Miles further The River Ambato lieth the great River Ambato famous for the Rocks and obscure Cliffs but never comes to the Ocean Two small Miles more Northerly you come to Galemboulou in seventeen degrees and an half a large receptacle for Barks but very dangerous because of the blind Rocks and boisterousness of the Sea near which stands a Town call'd Ratsimelone but by the French Mariners St. Mala. Three Miles from Galemboulou a very fair and great River pours its self into the Sea wherein they say the small Island Ambouluossi shews it self The River Manangharou running from West to East The River of Manangharou divides its self near the Sea Coast into four distinct Channels of which it self being one retains its name from the Original to the Mouth The other three are Manansatran the second Marinhou opposite to the Island Nosti Ibrahim or St. Mary and lastly the Stream Jamiami a great and spacious River which at its Outlet into the Sea always holds seven or eight Foot Water After this followeth the River Mananghare fronting the North Point of the Island St. Mary and the South Point of Antongil Bay entring the Sea with so commodious an opening The Countrey of Audouvouche that a great Bark may easily come in or out Following along the Western Coast the Countrey of Andouvouche cometh to view that is The Bay but because of the many other as Antongil by the Inhabitants formerly call'd Manghabei for Antongil is a Portugal name proceeding from a Portuguese Sea-Captain Antonio Gillo who discover'd it It lieth in fifteen degrees South-Latitude stretching Northward and about six Miles broad In the deepest part of the Bay lieth an Island very high out of the Water two large miles about delightfully green fruitful in all sorts of Provision compleatly stor'd with fresh Water Hens Honey and Bananoes Seamen esteem it a most convenient refreshing place At the entrance of the Bay are three or four other small Islands either Sown with Rice or full of Weeds On the North side are three populous Towns with several other along the Shore neighbor'd by a great River which divided into two Arms the one running to the North the other to the West making in the middle at the parting an Island Further on to the North appears another great Town call'd by the Portuguese St. Angelo surrounded with a strong Pallisado Opposite to which on the left hand another which the Netherlanders in their first Voyage to the East-Indies in the Year Fifteen hundred ninety five named Spakenburgh consisting of about a hundred and eighty Houses West South-West from the foremention'd Island glides another River upon which a Town lieth The Grounds are exceeding good and fat well water'd and full of Grass The Condition of the Land but not over-stockt with Cattel the richest Person having scarce a Herd of four and twenty Beasts The Towns here shew more of Architecture than usual in these parts and advantageously Seated either upon the Mountains or along the River Fenced with Stakes with two Entrances or Doors onely the one to the Water the other to the side of a Wood for their flight thither when set upon by the Enemy and worsted All the People from the Plum-Haven to Antongil-Bay Customs observe the same Customs and all name themselves one among another Zaffehibrahim that is The Generation of Abraham or Nossi Abrahim from the Island Abraham whence they are sprung By their keeping holy the Saturday their whiteness of colour and some other particular Customs Flaccourt thinks them to be descended from the Stock of the Jews and Arabians who fled thither many years ago Both Men Women and Children are whiter than those of Matatane and Androbeisaha with smooth Hair hanging down at length being good natur'd mild and hospitable not inclin'd to Robbery or Murther In Dancing and Singing they seem to use some kinds of measures Footing it in pairs sometimes making distinct stops and stretching out their Arms. All their Songs consist of Epithalamiums in the Chanting whereof
impossible to come into them but through the Gates The Natives addict themselves extraordinarily to Robbing and Pillaging of their Neighbors not onely of Goods but also of their Wives for which reason great Feuds arise amongst them which oftentimes break into an open Hostility This Province can bring three thousand men into the Field Every Village here as in the former hath a Lord amongst which one hath the preheminence of Command over the other The River of Mandrery parting Carcanosse and Ampatra glides very swift but lies for the most part stopt up It takes original out of the same Mountain with that of Itomampo and falls at the last by the South into the Sea Many Rivers bring hither their tributary Streams as Maropia taking his course by Icondre Manamaboulle and Mananghare Manamboulle descending from the Mountain Hiela and Mananghare issuing from the same on the South-west side Mananghare is inhabited with a People so unaccustom'd to War that every Great Man appropriates his Neighbors Countreys to himself as if he were the rightful Owner whereupon none will either Till or Manure the Land but let it lie waste and become a shelter for wild Hogs and Oxen. The Mountain Hiela towres up with a lofty heighth sending from its sides the River Manampani This Hill boasts a great number of Inhabitants and divides the Valley of Amboulle Machicore and the Carcanossi one from another Westward of which last appears a Territory call'd Encalidan between which also and the Valley Amboulle a small Tract styl'd Caracarack Caremboulle The Territory of Caremboulle a small Countrey about six Miles in length and three or four in breadth borders in the South on the Sea Westwards on the Bay of Caremboulle and East at Ampatre where also the River Manambouve gives it a limit The River Manambouve hath a full Stream about thirty French Miles from that of Mandrerey beginning in Machicore and running to Caremboulle a Course of fifteen or twenty Miles Twenty French Miles Westward the small Rivulet Manamba joyns with the Sea Menerandre another small River two Miles from Manamba poures down out of Machicore and runs South-South-west Four Miles from that are two other little Brooks that fetch their original out of a small adjacent Mountain The Coast of Caremboulle the outermost South-side of Madagascar stretcheth East and West but beginneth from the River Manamba to run North-west to that of Manerandre and from thence to Manamba and Machicore The Land of Caremboulle is dry and parched yet hath some few good Pastures stock'd with Cattel In Ampatre grows abundance of Cotton whereof they make Clothes and some Silk The Territory of Mahafalle Houlouve Siveh and Youronhehok MAhafalle seated farther to the West with the Sea-coast reacheth to the Salt-River call'd in Portuguese Sacalite about fifteen French Miles from Manomba and Hachicore This River lying in five and twenty Degrees South-Latitude cometh out of the Region of Houlouve beginning at the Mouth of the said Sacalite and shooteth into the Countrey two days Journey Siveh runneth along the Sea-coast about four Miles in length After Siveh followeth Youronhehok wherein appears the Bay of St. Augustine Yonglahe a great River receiveth on its North-side The River Yonglahe besides many petty Brooks the Water of three larger Streams viz. Ranoumanathi Ongehahemassei and Sacamare It riseth out of the Mountain of Manamboulle and runs to the West having its outlet Southerly into the Sea by a very fair Bay call'd by the Portuguese St. Augustine but by the Inhabitants Ongelahe It lieth in three and twenty Degrees South-Latitude defended from hurtful Winds and from the South to the North-west passable for great Ships yet hath some Cliffs lying on both sides dangerous for their coming in On the South-side of the Bay the French have erected a Fort resembling four small Bulwarks surrounded with Stakes or Pallisado's and a Trench of three Fathom broad and two Foot deep in Water having on one side a Way in the Trench above ten Foot broad by which they enter into the Fort. About the Year Sixteen hundred forty and four the English Landed here four hundred Men but near three hundred with the Captain dy'd by the Feverish malignity of the Air and Hunger at last the remainder were deliver'd from the jaws of Death by means of a Ship that Touched at this Place and carry'd them from thence for all usually in their Voyages to the East-Indies make some stay here for refreshing and bring their Sick there to Land to recover their health The Territory of Machicore THe Territory of Machicore a great Countrey stretcheth the whole length of the River Yonghelahe that is East-North-East and West-South-west seventy French Miles and the like difference from East to West but from the North to the South not above fifty that is from the aforesaid River to Ampatre and Mahafalle but lies utterly waste This Province as also those of Concha Manamboulle Alfissach and Mahafalle stood formerly under the Government of one Lord call'd Dian Balonalen that is Master of a hundred thousand Parks Then was the whole in Peace and flourished in happiness and Riches even to excess But after the death of Balonalen who left several Sons they fell into Wars for the Inheritance in such a measure that they were all extirpated From Onghelahe right Northwards appear two great Rivers the one call'd Ranoumanithi spoken of before and Ranoumene which comes out of Anachimoussi and poures its Water in two and twenty Degrees South-Latitude into a Bay near the Sea and a third less known by the name of Ranoumanithi running towards the West-South-west into a Bay in twenty Degrees South-Latitude This Countrey the Portuguese call Terra del Gada that is The Countrey of Cattel from the vast Herds thereof breeding in it There are three other Rivers run towards the West the one Sohavianh the other Soumada and the third Manatangh all flowing into a great Bay in nineteen Degrees Higher to the Northward the French have hitherto little knowledge of this Island and the Portuguese have for these many years discover'd all upon the Sea-coast except some few Places as the Countrey or Bay of Paxel of St. Andrew Cabo di Donna nostra Cunha Rio de St. Andreas Rio de Diego Soares and lastly the Cape of St. Sebastian the uttermost North-west Point of this Island We will proceed now to give you some account of the general state of the Island They find Iron and Steel in great abundance which they work and cleanse with more ease and less labour than with us for the Smiths take a Basket full of the Mineral as they find it ready and lay it upon red hot Coals between four Stones set and closed about with Clay and blown up with a pair of Bellows made in manner of a Wooden Pump with which blowing the Mineral within an hours time melts and so drawn off and forced into Bars or Staves of three or four pound There are also as they say Mynes
of Steel in the Territories of Mahafalle Anachimoussi Inourhon Icondrean Manamboulle and in Amboulle Anossi Matatane and Manghabei good Iron Silver is very common in these Countreys yet hath none ever found there any Mynes either of Silver Copper Lead or Tin They find Gold also among the Inhabitants Minerals or Mynes not brought thither to them but found every where in great plenty and such as the Europeans have none of they call it in their Countrey Language Voulamene Voutruroa yet distinguish it into three sorts the first their In-land Gold or Gold of Malacasse pale-colour'd and is pliable as Lead an Ounce whereof is not worth ten Crowns The second Gold of Mecha or Voulameneraca which the Rohandrians brought with them out of their Countrey it being very fine and good Duckat-Gold The third that which the Christians have brought thither being hardest to be melted and by them is nam'd Voulamene Voutrouwa as they say The Gold of Malacasse was first found in the Countrey of which there are Mynes in the Territory of Anossi and elsewhere by the relation of the Blacks The In-land Gold they divide into three sorts one very fine call'd Litteharonghe the second less fine styl'd Voulamene Sautehy and a third ordinary nam'd Ahets-Lovau Precious Stones they find in the Rivers and Brooks of many kinds Precious Stones as Crystal Topazes Granats Amethysts Eagles-stones Smaragdines or Emerauds Saphyres Jacinths Jaspers Agats Blood-stones by the Inhabitants call'd Rahamanghe and by the Physitians in Greek Haematifes Cornelion Toad-stones and such like They find in several quarters of this Island divers sorts of Waters Waters some running above and some under Ground receiving a taste and quality according to the Mineral they participate of In the Valley of Amboulle ariseth a Spring with very hot Water a powerful Medicine against Sicknesses growing from Cold in the Sinews the same being drunk is a great Pectoral and cures all Diseases of the Stomach openeth obstructions in the Reins and Spleen and expells the Stone and Gravel They have in many places Springs that taste like Iron as near Fort Dauphin in Anossi which the French and the Blacks therefore call the iron-Iron-water In a high Mountain in Amboulle are Fountains of salt Water although thirty Miles distant from the Sea whereof the Natives make Salt Manghasia shews a Fountain upon a Hill out of which issues Jews-Gumme In the Precinct of Fanghaterre Westward of Mount Hiela are Brooks with white Water that taste and smell like Brimstone Houlouve Four setts of Honey and Vourouhehock afford rich Salt-Petre Caves which they name in general Tentele and make-four sorts of it Bee-Honey call'd Voatentele green Mesquite-Honey by name Sih and two sorts of Honey of Pismires one of Flying Pismires Swarming together in hollow Trees and of other Pismires a little bigger which make their Honey in Vontantames that is great Mole-hills sharp and copped above every where boared through with Ant-holes All these Honeys have a very sweet taste But besides these they tell of two other sorts of Honey one hard and sweet more resembling Sugar than Honey yet call'd Teutele Sacondre made of the Leaves of a little Tree or Shrub which at maturity turn into yellow green and red Husks some hold this to be the Tabaxir of the Arabians or Sugar of the Bomboes Cane which yields rather an unpleasant than sweet taste There is yet another sort of Honey said to be Venomous or Poysonous yet made by Bees which suck it out of the Flowers of a Tree bearing strong Poyson and found in Carakarak a member of Anossi The Inhabitants make three sorts of Wine the first and commonest of Honey the second of Sugar which they call Tovach or Tovapare being somewhat bitter of taste like new Beer or as the Kernel of an Apricock made in the Countreys of Manamboule Matatane and Hanghabei by boyling the Sugar Canes in Water to the consumption of a third part then putting it into great Callabashes it becomes Wine on the third day This Wine hath such a corrosive quality that put it into an Egg-shell it will eat the same throrow in the space of one hour The third some make of the great Bananoes Fruits putting the same into a Vessel and boyling it four or five hours of which cometh a tartish Wine like Sider They have several sorts of Oil Oile with which both Men and Women anoint their Heads and Bodies for want thereof they take Ox Suet mixt with Wax The best known and ordinariest Oils are Menachtanhe Menaen signifieth Oil Menachil Menachovivat Monachmafoutra Menach Voarave Menach Apokopouk Menach Vintag and Menach Arame Menach Tanhetanhe made of a Plant in the Countrey Language call'd Tanhetanha and by us Tree of Wonder and in Latin Ricinus Minalchis Oil they make in the Valley of Amboulle of a Fruit or Seed call'd Voankare and in Europe Sesamus Menachouvivou they extract of a Fruit as big as an Almond and hath a good taste both in Eating and Drinking Menachmafoutra made of the Kernels of the Fruits of the Dragon-Tree bears the same thickness as Oil of Nutmegs but without smell it cures Scabs and dry Tetters Voarave is drawn from the Fruit Fontsi Menachfowaha of the Fruit Apokapouk being very Poysonous Menach Vintag of a great Acron Menach Arame of the Kernel of the Fruit of the Tree from whence the Gum call'd Tacamahacha proceeds From hence Merchants bring divers sorts of Physical Earth one red Tamene in their Speech as good if not the same with that by the Apothecaries call'd Bole Armoniack another call'd Terra Sigillata Sealed Earth that properly so named brought from the Island of Lemnos and therefore also call'd Terra Lemnia yet according to Flakourt that of Madagascar no less esteem'd than the other and among the Natives call'd Tavelisse A third like Chalk excellent to wash Linen in stead of Sope being a fat Clay like the Earth of Malta which they say carry'd about one hath power to kill or drive away Snakes or Serpents or at least to resist their Poyson the Vulgar name there is Tanefoutchi They have great variety of Gums known by the general name Lite some well scented and others without any smell Of these we will reckon first Litementa or Benjoin Literame or Taccamahacca Lite Fimpi a pleasant scented Gum. Lite-Enfouraha a kind of green Rosin with a Balsom-like smell Quizominthi a black Gum which serves to Glue the Handles to their Assagays Hingue a black well scented Gum Litimithsi black like Jah very drawing but quickly grows dry and hard yet the Women use it to Gum their Faces to prevent Wrinkles it heals also Wounds and Sores Litin Bitsik Gum made by the Pismires in the Territory of Ampatre is white and hangs on a small Branch of a Tree inclosing within it small Pismires Falanoue that is Musk cometh from a Creature as big as a Cat Litineha is our Dragons Bloods Litin Barenkoko another sort of Dragons Blood Latinpane well scented
which runs through all the Countrey The Air though very hot hath the repute of being healthful as receiving frequent cooleness from the fresh Breezes arising out of the Mountains It hath several Rivulets Brooks and Springs which along the Cliffs and the gaping of the Mountains pour their Water from one quarter into the other The Rivers by the French discover'd on the Coast and flowing into the Sea are the grand River Du Galet the East-River Stone-Cliffe River and the River of St. John St. Steven and St. Giles It lieth totally desolate notwithstanding the French have sometimes endeavor'd to have Planted it with some Colonies of People This Island boasts an exceeding fertility both of Plants and Beasts for first there grows Tobacco as good as any Countrey can afford abundance of Aloes Cubebs white-tail Pepper Ebony and other Wood serviceable to build Houses and Ships Trees which afford well-scented Gums Benzoia and others besides many Palmito's and other Fruit-Trees They cannot complain for want either of Fish or Flesh the Rivers plentifully affording the one and the Land the other viz. wild Swine very great Sea and Land-Turtles wild Pigeons and Drones the fairest Paraketo's in the world and many other sorts of Fowl The Sea-shores are full of Goats which are delicate Meat yet the Flesh of the wild Swine exceeds all the other for daintiness and wholsomness according to the relation of those French of Madagascar which were by the Governor banish'd three years into this Island where they preserved themselves onely by this Flesh without either Bisket or Rice or tasting any other tame or wild Beast or Fowl During their three years continuance there they averred that they perceived not the least spice of either Ague or Fever neither had pain in the Head or Teeth notwithstanding they went continually naked bare-footed and nothing on their Heads yea some of them coming sick thither immediately recover'd health In the Year Sixteen hundred fifty four a French-man call'd Antonis Thaureau went with leave of the French Governor of Madagascar with seven other of his own Nation and six Blacks to settle themselves in this Island After a Journey of twelve days arriving there they seated themselves at the side of a certain Lake which mixes its Water with the Sea at a place where a great Bay lieth a convenient Road for ships in the West-North-West part of the Island They took along with them from Madagascar five Cows with one Calf and one Steer which mixed themselves with five and thirty other very fine and fat Steers which were come of those that had been put on Shore five years before They immediately built Huts for their abode and busied themselves in making of Gardens and Planting of Tobacco Melons and all sorts of Cod-Fruits but when the Tobacco was almost ripe the same with their Huts was ruin'd by a Heuricane so that they were necessitated to Build and Plant anew In the mean time while the Season of Planting came on again being in October November and December for their Harvest is in April the aforesaid Thaureau with some of the other concluded to take a Journey round about the Island to discover the same exactly and to take notice of the Countrey but they found almost nothing but Plants of Aloes after two days Journey they came to the Sea-coast which runs from the Point in the North to the other in the South five Miles long convenient for Habitation and very delightful and pleasant Meadows water'd by seven very fine Rivers which take their original out of a great Lake surrounded with Mountains where the Standard with the Arms of France were set up by the command of Flaccourt After a stay of two years and eight moneths without receiving any relief from Madagascar and seeing no other opportunity to get from thence they betook themselves to an English Vessel which put in there in the Year Sixteen hundred fifty eight and in the Moneth of May together with their six Blacks came to the English Fort of Maderespartan on the Coast of Cormandel or Narsinge a Mile from the City St. Thomas the Apostle of India where they arrived on the twelfth day of the following Moneth with a great deal of Aloes Tobacco and Benzoin in hopes to dispose of those Commodities there but arriving they found the contrary and that one Roll of Tobacco was enough for the whole Coast to make Snuff of by reason of the little use of it And likewise the Aloes prov'd a Drug because it grew there also The Island of St. Apollonie THe Island of St. Apollonie which Francois Caucha seems to take for that of Mauritius some Chards place forty Miles Eastward of Mascareigne but Flaccourt in his Description of Madagascar makes it a distinct thing The Island of Mauritius or Cerne THe Island of Mauritius so call'd by the Hollanders for the Honour and Memory of Maurice Prince of Orange a Branch from the House of Nassaw not well knowing and uncertain of its proper Name Some wrongfully hold it to be the Cerne of Pliny and placed in eighteen Degrees and thirty Minutes of South-Latitude whereas according to Caucha it is call'd The Island of Apollonie and lieth in the Elevation of one and twenty Degrees South-Latitude close by Mascaronhas The Hollanders first touched upon it in the Year Fifteen hundred ninety eight the eighteenth of September in their second Voyage to the East-Indies under the Command of the Admiral Jacob Cornelius van Nek It s Circumference they guess at fifteen Leagues affording a Haven and convenient Road but remains void both of Men and Beasts except Cats The Air seems to be good and wholsom and there is a River found which takes its orignal out of the Mountains whereof there are many towards the Sea yet within the Countrey are very delightful Plains By reason of the many and high Mountains the whole lies almost continually cover'd with Snow and oftentimes there doth such Mists arise from them that a Man can see no farther than just down before him The Ground lies very stony and so overgrown with wild and unfruitful Trees that it is scarce passable Among them are found many Palmito's and other Trees with a green Bark and Wood underneath as black as Pitch which some have taken for the right Ebony and other Trees whose Wood appears of a deep red or very yellow like Wax Fowl are here innumerable and so tame and fearless that they will suffer a Man almost to touch them as Pigeons Turtle-Doves Cranes gray and speckled Parrots and strange Birds as big as Swans with thick Heads whereon are Skins like Lappets In stead of Wings for they have none they have upon their sides onely three or four black Quills and behind in stead of a Tail four or five small Feathers or curl'd Plumes standing somewhat higher than the other they have large and thick Feet with a great and ugly Bill and Eyes and have commonly a Stone in their Maw as big as
its equal in the World for heighth because it spires with its top so high into the Clouds that in clear Weather it may be seen sixty Dutch Miles off at Sea nor can it be ascended but in July and August lying in all the other Moneths cover'd with Snow though upon this and the near adjacent Islands none is to be seen To come to the top requires three days Journey from whence may be seen all the Islands lying about thirty Dutch Miles off in the Sea Here they find great quantities of Sulphur with abundance of Fruits Wine and Sugar The Inhabitants are reckon'd to be about the number of five thousand In the History of the Royal Society of London lately set forth by Dr. Thomas Sprat we have a Relation from some considerable Merchants and Persons worthy of Credit who went to the top of this Pico Teneriff set down in these following words The pike Mountaine upon The Island Tenerieto De PIEK-BERGH op het EILANT TENERIETO Of the Island Teneriff it self this account was given by a judicious and ingenious Man who lived twenty years in it as a Physitian and Merchant his opinion is That the whole Island being a Soil mightily impregnated with Brimstone did in former times take Fire and blow up all or near all at the same time and that many Mountains of huge Stones calcin'd and burnt which appears all over this Island especially in the South-west part of it were cast up and raised out of the bowels of the Earth at the time of that general Conflagration and that the greatest quantity of this Sulphur lying about the Center of the Island raised up the Pico to that heighth at which it is now seen And he saith That any one upon the Place that shall carefully note the situation and manner of those calcined Rocks how they lie will easily be of that mind for they lie says he three or four Miles almost round the bottom of the Pico and in such order one above another almost to the Sugar-Loaf as 't is call'd as if the whole Ground swelling and rising up together by the ascension of the Brimstone the Torrents and Rivers of it did with a sudden eruption rowl and rumble them down from the rest of the Rocks especially as is said before to the South-west for on that side from the very top of the Pico almost to the Sea-coast lie huge heaps of these burnt Rocks one under another and there still remain the very tracks of the Brimstone-Rivers as they ran over this quarter of the Island which hath so wasted the Ground beyond recovery that nothing can be made to grow there but Broom But on the North-side of the Pico few or none of these Stones appear and hence he concludes That the Vulcanio discharged it self chiefly on the South-west-side He adds farther That at the same time Mynes of several Metals were blown up some of those calcined Rocks resembling Iron Oar some Silver and others Copper particularly on the South-west part call'd Azuleios being very high Mountains where never any English-man but himself that ever he heard of was There are vast quantities of a loose blewish Earth mixed with blew Stones which have a yellow rust upon them like that of Copper or Vitriol as also many small Springs of vitriol-Vitriol-water where he supposes a Copper Myne And he was told by a Bell-Founder of Oratava That he got out of two Horse-loads of this Earth as much Gold as made two large Rings And a Portuguese who had been in the West-Indies told him That his opinion was there were as good Mynes of Gold and Silver there as the best in the West-Indies Thereabouts also are Nitrous-waters and Stones cover'd over with a deep Saffron-colour'd rust tasting of Iron And farther he mentions one of his Friends which of two Lumps of Earth or Oar brought from the top of this side of the Mountain made two Silver Spoons All this he confirmed by the last Instance of the Palm-Island eighteen Leagues from Teneriff where about twelve years since so Vulcanio was fixed the violence whereof made an Earthquake in this Island so great that he and others ran out of their Houses fearing they would have fall'n upon their Heads They heard the noise of the Torrent of flaming Brimstone like Thunder and saw the Fire as plain by night for six weeks together as a burning Torch and so much Sand and Ashes brought from thence by the Wind and Clouds fell upon his Hat as would fill the Sand-box of his Inkhorn In some places of this Island groweth a crooked Shrub call'd Legnan which they bring for England as a sweet Wood. There are likewise Apricock Peach-Trees and others which bear twice a year also Pear-Trees as pregnant Almonds with a tender Shell Palms Plantains Oranges and Lemons especially the Paeguada's which have small ones within them from whence they are so denominated Also they have Sugar-Canes and a little Cotton Coloquintida c. The Roses blow at Christmas There are good Carnations and very large but no Tulips will grow or thrive there Samphire clothes the Rocks in abundance and a kind of Clover the Ground Another Grass grows near the Sea which is of a broader Leaf so luscious and rank that it will kill a Horse that eats of it but no other Beast Eighty Ears of Wheat have been found to spring from one Root but grows not very high The Corn of this is transparent like the purest yellow Amber and one Bushel hath brought forth a hundred in a seasonable Year The Canary-Birds which they bring to us in England breed in the Baranco's or Gills which the Water hath fretted away in the Mountains being places very cold There are also Quails Partridges larger than ours and exceeding beautiful great Wood-Pigeons Turtles at Spring Crows and sometimes the Falcons come flying over from the Coast of Barbary Bees are carry'd into the Mountains where they prosper exceedingly And there they have wild Goats which climb to the very top of the Pico sometimes also Hogs and multitudes of Coneys Of Fish they have the Cherna a very large and excellent Fish better tasted than any we have in England the Mero Dolphins Lobsters without great Claws Mussles Periwincles and the Clacas which is absolutely the very best Shell-fish in the world they grow in the Rocks five or six under one great Shell through the top-holes whereof they peep out with their Nebs from whence the Shells being broken open a little more with a Stone they draw them There is also another sort of Fish like an Eel which hath six or seven Tails of a Span long united to one Head and Body which is also as short Besides there they have Turtles and Cabrido's which are better than our Trouts The Island is full of Springs of fresh Water tasting like Milk which in Lalagima where the Water is not so clear and lympid they cleanse by percolating it through a kind of spungy Stone cut in form
and Cornelius Madagascar or St. Laurence St. Maries Comore and Mauritius and Socotara in the Mouth of the Arabian Gulf near the utmost Point of Guardafuy and other less Islands ¶ THe Hills of most remark are the Great and Lesser Atlas Hills the Mountains of the Sun the Salt-petre Hill Sierre Lyone Amara Mount Table and Os Picos Fragosos The Great Atlas call'd by the Natives Aydvacall as Marmol tells us and as Aug Curio Anchisa and by Olivarius Majuste runs thorow Africa as Taurus thorow Asia or the Alps Europe beginning in Marmarica and from thence extended to the west divides Barbary from Biledulgerid and though it hath many gaps and oft discontinues yet holds he on from Jubell Meyes to the utmost Mountains of Cehel and the Coast of Masra about twenty miles from Alexandria west-ward the Atlantick Ocean stops his course near the City Messa changing his name Aydvacall which often happens both to him and the lesser Atlas taking new Denominations from the several places they pass by No Mountain in all Africa is more celebrated by the ancient Poets than this amongst many take these from their Prince Virgil 4 Aen. Jamque volans apicem latera ardua cernit Atlantis duri Coelum qui vertice fulsit Atlantis cinctum assiduè cui nubibus atris Piniferum caput vento pulsatus imbri Nix humeros infusa tegit tum flumina mento Praecipitant senis glacie riget horrida barba And now the craggy top and lofty side Of Atlas which supporteth Heaven he spy'd A Shash of sable Clouds the Temples bindes Of Pine-crown'd Atlas beat with Rain and Windes Snow cloathes his Shoulders his starch'd Beard is froze And from the old Mans Chin a River flows All Writers affirm his wondrous height that he seems to reach the sky That side which views the Ocean to which he gave his Name is rugged bald and dry that towards the Land seems hairy with Bushes and shady with leavy Trees and watred with Springs so being made fertile in producing all sorts of Fruit that by day his Inhabitants not see well and that by night the Mountain seems to shine and send forth flames and as some say is full of Satyrs and abounds with Echoes resounding like Flutes Trumpets and Tabors The Lesser Atlas call'd Lant coasts with the Mid-land Sea there known by the Name of Errif extended from Gibraltar unto Bona the Spaniards call both Atlas'es Montes Claros or the Shining Mountains because their eminency renders them perspicuous far off or that their Spires shine above the Clouds Thus Diego de Torres But the Moors saith Strabo call them Dyris On the Cape where the Atlantick shoots into the Mediterranean Sea opposite to Europe appears the Mountain Abyle now by the Spaniard call'd Sierra Ximiera or Sierra de las Monas that is Ape-hill against this shews Calpe in Spain these are the Herculean Pillars so much celebrated with a ne plus ultra by ancient Writers The Chrystal Mountain according to Pigafet in his Congo shoots to the Sky his spiry and un-inhabitable Towers on the Eastern skirts of that Province there are found rich Mines of Chrystal Near which is the Mountain of the Sun so call'd from its wondrous height and being barren of all Vegetables On the same side Eastward appears the Salt-petre Hill so nam'd from the abundance fetcht from thence This Mountain divides the River Sarbeles whose sides are so watered by its parted Streams Amara that gives the vast Kingdom of Amara denomination consists of most high and inaccessible Hills which stand as Out-works to a strong Fort in the middle where the Kings Sons have Education kept with double Guards till their Fathers decease then the next Heir taken from thence enjoys the Crown The Mountains of the Moon which lye betwixt the Tropick of Capricorn and the Great Southern Cape are the highest in Africa or Europe now call'd by the Inhabitants Betsh they are Ledges of barren Rocks always cloath'd with Snow and continued Ice extending to the Coasts of Ceva in Goyame Eminent Writers would prove though false that the Head of the Nile springs amongst these And Ptolomy hath left on Record that his Overflowings are fed with the dissolution of these Mountains Snow At the Cape of Good Hope appears the Table-Mount so call'd from the flatness of its Crown like a Diamond so squar'd not far from the Shore on the South-side of a pleasant River from whence by a Cliff they scale the top no way else any accession being very steep and wondrous high seen from the * From the Sea Offin nine or ten leagues three or four hours before a Storm it seems to frown and grow sullen then veyling with more thick and opacous Clouds Westward from this is Mount Lyons either supposed their Palace being a Receptacle of those Royal Beasts or that the Hill resembles a Lyon couchant Near Mount Table are those the Spaniards call Os Picos Fragosos and the Italians Pici Fragosi signifying sharp or rough such being their aspiring tops continually covered with Snow all ranging in order one by another at whose foot runs a great and swift River which comes down from the Countrey On the Border of Guinee appears another Mount Lyons Sierra Leona in Spanish in Portugues Sierra Lioa there are several other Mountains in Africk of wonderful height and wealthy in Mynes but we pass them over till we speak of them at large in their due place and Descriptions of their several Countreys ¶ THis Region abounds also with many great Lakes Lakes the chiefest is that they call the Zaire or Zembre which Linschot takes to be the Old Triton out of whose bosom issues two famous Rivers that water the Kingdom of Congo the Coanze and Lalande Some affirm that from the Nile Zambere or Couama have here their original of which more at large hereafter ¶ NOr are here great Rivers wanting as the Nile the Niger Rivers call'd by the Spaniards and Italians Rio Grande or the Great River also Sanaga or Sanega the Gambre Zaire Couama and Holy Ghost River all which by their flyings out and overflowings make more fertile their neighboring Margines what concerns the Nile best known to us in Europe we will discourse at large when we make our entry into Egypt and of all his Benefits accrewing to that Countrey and so of the rest in their order ¶ AS for the Soyl it is very rich producing all sorts of Vegetables Animals The Soyl. and Minerals what ever of these Europe or Asia boasts Africa hath besides no small production of its own which the other have not unless brought over by Merchants and Travellers with us presented for strange Monsters in Shews at Fairs Markets and the like Such as are in common with us I shall not mention but those Creatures most of them peculiar to that Countrey but all strangers to Europe will require an exact Inquisition and here a room to
Measles and Small Pox as in asswaging Malignant Feavers and tough Distempers of Agues In Nubia and the Kingdom of the Abyssines Zorafes or Giraffes is a Beast called Zorafes or Giraffes as big as a two-years old Heifer having a Neck like the Glave of a Javelin or Half-Pike and a head resembling a Gazell with Legs short behind and long before hair'd and brindled like an Ox the Ears like a Hart and Breast smooth and shining which the Africans say is generated of two Species he wanders solitarily through the Woods flying from men and not to be taken but young ¶ HAving treated thus far of Beasts We shall now briefly present you with some Plants and Vegetables referring their full discourse to the places where naturally produced Though Africa be in some places very fertile yet a great part of the Country lyes waste and unmanured full of Barren Sands or abounding with Serpents in such manner that the Peasant dare not Till the ground unless Booted but the manured parts afford a rich crop to the industrious Husbandman yeilding oftentimes an hundred fold encrease The chief Grain of Africa is Wheat Rye Barley Rice and Maiz and besides the Trees growing there that are in common with Europe are divers others not found amongst us such are the Cassia Egyptian Fig-tree the Inhabitants term it Guimeiz the Date Cotton Coco and Balsam-tree Sugar-Canes and the like Productions with which they drive a great Trade with us in Europe Among others in the Wildernesses of Lybia Ettalche a Tree Biledulgerid and Negro-land grows the Tree call'd Ettalch guarded round with Prickles having leaves like the Juniper shrub from under the Bark issues a Gum whose body and smell resembles Mastich which the Merchants often cheat with by adulterating so selling it for Mastich Of the Tree Argan or Erguen Argan an Oyl is made by the Inhabitants whereof more at large in the Description of Hea a Province of Marocco In the Countrey of Lyme Aud-Altassavijt is found the Aud-Altassavijt which is tough like Hemp and will not break with hachelling but yields at every blow a pleasing sound Other parts of Africa afford no small number of Herbs and Plants all which we shall set forth in their due place especially in the Description of Egypt There is also the Root by the Inhabitants call'd Terfez Terfez A Root but Kamha by the Physitians resembling an Earth or Ar-Nut but bigger and very sweet gather'd by the Arabians in the Desarts of Biledulgerid pleasing their palates like confected Fruits Another Root yeilding a very sweet and pleasing scent is found on the Western parts on the Sea-shore which the Merchants of Barbary carry to sell among the Negroes who use it as a Perfume onely by sprinkling it about the house An African * A Mudde is three Bushels English or thereabouts Mudde which in Mauritania is sold for half a Ducket which the Merchants vend again among the Negroes for eighty or a hundred Duckets and sometimes dearer There is another Root call'd Addad not unknown to the African Women Addad whose acid Leaves and Root are of so poysonous a faculty that a little of their water distilled gives a quick dispatch by sudden death to their Husbands or any other that they are weary of On the West-side of Mount Atlas is the Root Surnag Surnag having a special vertue to incite Venus The Inhabitants report that it will devirginat Maids couching to Urine on the Leaves and after will much dis-affect them with Tympanied infirmities There is also Euphorbium whereof more at large in Barbary ¶ HEre are two sorts of Pitch the one natural or Stone Pitch Pitch The other Artificial and thus made They erect a great Oven with a hole at the bottom in which they put the Branches of Pine or Juniper chop 't in peices then the Ovens mouth close stop'd a fire is made underneath by the heat whereof the Pitch is extracted out of the wood running through the bottom of the Oven into a hole underneath it in the Earth whence they take it out and put it into Bladders or Leathern Bags All the Salt in the most part of Africa as Leo saith is dig'd out of Salt-pits Salt being white red and gray Barbary 't is true hath plenty of Salt Biledulgerid is reasonably well stored but in Negro-land and the innermost Parts of Ethiopia a pound of Salt is sold for half a Ducket They use no Salt-cellar nor set it on the Table but each having a piece in his hand lick it at every Morsel In a Lake in Barbary near the City of Fez all the Summer is found a well-concocted and coagulated Salt but such as border on the Sea make Snow-white Salt of Sea-water Atlas on that side where Biledulgerid borders on the Kingdom of Fez Antimony produces great quantity of Antimony and sundry other have veins of Sulphur Mines of Gold and Silver but above all the rich Mines of Gold and Silver those especially in Negro-land Guinee and Ethiopia deserve admiration ¶ MArmol relates from Aben-Gezar Marmol Los Hechizos that certain Stones are found in the Land of Lyme call'd by the Spaniards Los Hechizos and by the Arabians Hajar Acht which have divers signatures representing several parts of a Man as a Hand and Foot Face Head and Breast many like the Heart but some the whole compleat Figure of a Man in just proportions The most perfect of these Stones they assuredly believe to have an occult and wonderful faculty irritated by the help of Spels and Sorcery to introduce and bring the Bearer thereof into the favour of Princes In the steep Mountains Alard and Quen between Nubia and Zinchamque The Stone Beth. a Stone is found call'd Beth which as they say will make those Speechless that long gaze upon it ¶ AFrica also brings forth Eagles differing in size colour and properties Eagles whose greatest the Arabs call Neser and bigger than a Crane having a very short Beak Neck and Legs yet mounts exceeding high till for want of Feathers he betakes himself to his Nest where the Eaglets feed him Divers parts of this Countrey Parrots especially Guinee and Ethiopia yield Parrots of several sorts and colours Whereof more at large when we come to those parts The Mountains of the upper Ethiopia Griffons Marmol specially that of Beth as Marmol says shew Griffons which the Arabians enstile Ifrit Great store of strange Creatures Hippo-potamus and other Amphibious creatures some Amphibii as the Hippo-potamus or Sea-Horse the Sea-Cow the Crocodile Tortoises Ambare and others of the same nature using both Water and Land are found in the Lybian wildes and Sea-coasts of Africa Serpents Serpents c. Venomous Creatures Reptiles and strange Insects are produced in the Wilderness of Biledulgerid Negro-land and upper Ethiopia ¶ HItherto we have lightly touch't several things as first that Africa is for the most part
the City from the Serpent Python This proof of Delta's lying under water heretofore makes us rightly to interpret Herodotus Strabo and others who maintained all Egypt to have been in the same condition whereas they must be understood by a Synechdoche to have taken a part for the whole for that Egypt in general was not drown'd with the Sea will appear from hence that it was very Mountainous and upon a continual ascent upwards to the Nile even as far as the Cataracts thereof and Ethiopia And now the Series of our Discourse having brought us to the Nile we will with as much brevity and exactness as possible describe the same by discovering his first rise and heads with his several branches and sources and setting down the Genuine causes of his annual Fluxes from the crediblest of our Modern Authors This River famous for his greatness and faecundity According to some the name of Nilus is derived from Nâ—â—â— Owâ— id est drawing new slime which may make the Earth fertile See Virg. Georg. 2. hath by antiquity many several names attributed to him The Hebrews call him Nahar-Mitzraim that is the River of Egypt the Inhabitants Nuchal which agrees with Pomponius Mela who give the same to the Head-spring of Nile and is but little different from the Hebrew Nahal or Nachal 'T is also by the Jews named Shickor or Sihor signifying black from the colour of the sediment for the same reason call'd by the Greeks Melas black And the Antients represented his Figure in black stone though all other Rivers were denoted by white Statues Some would fancy this to be Gihon mentioned in Holy Writ but with how little probability may easily be conjectured if we consider that Gihon was one of the four great Rivers that watered the Terrestrial Paradise and consequently in Asia whereas this is in Africk Homer Diodorus Xenophon and others give him the common appellation of the Countrey that is Egyptus and Plutarch names him Osyris and Syris Apollonius Triton Pliny Astraton Diodorus Aquila because of his swiftness it seems Cedrenus Chrysorrhoe Golden stream and Dyonisius Syene In the Reign of King Orus there eight hundred years before the building of Rome the same was by his Subjects known by the title of Noym or Num. Upon the Coasts of Lybia towards Syene from the name of a Princes Child there drown'd it was first call'd Nilus which also the Africans do The Abyssines stile it Abanha Father of Rivers The Negroes or Moors Takkui and from them the Abyssines Nil Takui and the two branches thereof Tagazi and Abanhi Lastly by the report of Sanutius the people of the Kingdom of Goyame call it Gihon This famous River thus severally known by variety of Names by yearly inundations doth so fertllize and fatten the earth that it provides for and furnishes the Inhabitants even with an exuberance of Plenty which proceeds from three remarkable Prerogatives wherewith Nature hath endowed him beyond all other Rivers The first is that he sends forth no foggy vapors which makes the Air very healthful and serene being continually free either from Rain Clouds Mists or Fogs Secondly he runs with so even and undisturbed a stream that there never accrews any danger from his Waves or Billows to any Boats Barks or Passengers sailing thereon but a satisfactory pleasure from his continual calm Lastly his faecundating vertue which is so great that it causeth not onely an infinite encrease in all sorts of Cattel that water there and breeds a prolifick faculty in Men and Women but produces of all things growing from the earth a Harvest plentiful even to admiration And this fertility without dispute was the cause why Egypt of old exceeded all other Nations almost for multitude of people and yet to this day after so many direful depopulations may compare with those that boast the greatest number of Inhabitants As a testimony whereof Diodorus records that there were once in it eighteen thousand strong Cities many of which as it seems were either by Time or War lay'd waste and desolate because we find in the Reign of Ptolomy Lagus onely three thousand Registred no more then remaining which by Suidas his account was in the Empire of Caesar Augustus when Diodorus lived The same Author reports that in Elder times the number of its Inhabitants were seventeen hundred thousand and that in his own time they were no less in general esteem than thirteen hundred thousand which wonderful encrease might be effected by the constant drinking the water of this River whose vertue had the power as some believed to make the Egyptian Women bring forth so often not onely two or three but sometimes six or seven nay eight Children at a Birth And this may a little abate the wonder how the Children of Israel in so short a time as two hundred years * Broughton which was all the space they sojourned in Egypt multiplyed from but seventy souls to above six hundred thousand men on foot besides Women and Children nor may those stupendious Monuments of Grandeur which even to this day bear the name of Wonders seem so strange to have been erected by the Antient Kings of this Countrey as a Remonstrance of their glorious Greatness and Magnificence if we lay into the other Scale the infinite number of people that were under their Commands all whose hands at the Princes Fiat being employed made things otherwise seeming impossible to become facile according to that of the Poet Multorum manibus grande levatur opus From these unusual Excellencies and rare Qualifications of this River the Gymnosophists of Egypt made it one of their chief Numens which they worshipped with particular Solemnities under the name of the Goddess Isis to whose care and kindness they ascrib'd their continual freedom from the terror and danger of Earthquakes and that they were never infested with any Pestilential Contagion but alwayes enjoyed a Serene wholesomeness of Air not subject to any impetuous storms or alterations of weather either from the Clouds or Windes This was the cause of those many honorable Epithetes bestowed on it by Antiquity among which one was the flowing of Osiris or rather as Abenefius an Arabick Writer hath it Osiris Arm because it did as it were reach forth to Mankind so great a Plenty of Provisions For observing that Egypt enclosed with Mountains did resemble an Arm and that the several partitions at the end seemed Fingers he appointed to the Nile the place of the Mediana or Liver-vein This like that in the body sending forth its quickning moisture by whose motion and circulation it fertilitates the whole even to such an height of abundance as makes Wonder stand amaz'd to see Nature turn Prodigal This agrees well with the Antient Poets who gave to this River many notable attributes Homer the Prince of them says it fell from Heaven out of Jupiter's Bosome from whence happily sprung the belief not onely of the old Egyptians but the later Greeks that
The Encrease whereas the Moderns say that time onely is the Encrease which is between the least and greatest depth of Water and the other wherein the Water returns into his own Channel The Decrease The Nile then flows by degrees from the later end of June How long the Nile increases in Egypt At the first very little scarce rising up two or three fingers in twenty four hours nor much more any day after while the Sun remains in Cancer but when the Sun passes into Leo it rises first half a foot afterwards half a foot and a palm immediately a foot and lastly a whole cubit almost every day so continuing till the full height Thus the Grounds lying near the River are first moistened afterwards those afar off and at last all Egypt over Then the Earth which a little before was dry Land becomes Navigable and the River whose Channel in many places was scarce broader than a Furlong enlarges to * Above thirty English miles three hundred Furlongs nor would it stay there if the Hills on both sides did not curb and hinder it The Nile in this expansion at his height which ordinarily happens the Sun in the middle of Leo though sometimes when in the fifth or sixth degree of Libra doth not presently decrease but continues many times at the same depth twenty days and more till the Sun enters Virgo then by degrees lessening and running away before which time all the Dikes Ditches and Damms are opened to receive and detain the water Then may it easily be perceived how the Waters retire gradatim first from the Grounds of Upper Egypt that border upon Ethiopia afterwards from the High-grounds of Lower Egppt which naturally comes to pass for the Water glides through the High-grounds not running off indeed but kept up in Ditches that the Mud which improves the Land may be ready to be spread so much the nearer At length after the Autumnal Equinox the Water returns into its natural Channel and that which was thus long by Dikes kept up in the Upper-grounds let out by Sluices first in Upper and after in Lower Egypt And although sometimes there is a difference in the rising of the Nile according to the little or much rain falling in Ethiopia yet the whole Countrey is clear'd and the Water return'd to its Channel before our eight and twentieth of September whereupon immediately the Grounds are ploughed with small Coulters and made fit for Sowing and the Countrey-man when the Sun enters Scorpio The Nile almost always either increasing or decreasing puts his Seed into the Earth however though in its own Channel the River ceases not lessening till the end of May the next year It remains now that from this Overflowing of the Nile The Current of Nile sometimes swift and sometimes flow we shew the swiftness or slowness of his Current and how it varies at several times for the making which appear you are to know that in Ethiopia it flows up at least twenty days and sometimes a whole moneth ere it begins to rise in Egypt at the beginning scarce running a league in an hour whereas when the Water is come to the highest it passes so swiftly forward that if the Channel of the Nile be above four hundred and fifty leagues and more in length as by reason of its windings and reaches some running almost point-blank backwards it may well be upon an equal calculation it will appear that it may run three leagues in one hour we must confess it is not so swift in Egypt because the Channel is like a Sea about ten leagues broad which causes it necessarily to flow slower whereas it 's circumscribed and confined in narrow limits in Ethiopia and so consequently goes there more swift But now to return to our quest of the Head Sources or Fountains of this famous River The Head-Springs of Nile where as supposed Vossius Vossius gives us this account Although the Head-springs of other Rivers are not onely in places far distant from their mouths It receives all its water out of Ethiopia in regard where Rain falls Brooks and small Channels are usually found which by their confluence make the great ones full it is clear otherwise with the Nile being onely indebted to Egypt for a passage not receiving any addition of Waters there for all Egypt except where bordering on the Sea is altogether void of Rain but comes out of that part of Ethiopia that now is call'd Abyssine so that with reason there must we look for the Head-veins of Nile Among the many Heads ascribed thereto the farthest and most Southerly making the rivers Maleg and Anguet which joyn in the Countrey of Damut and make the West Channel retaining the name Maleg till after a course of fourscore leagues it falls into the middle Channel accounted the chief beginning in the Hilly Countrey of Sakala The Sea Bar-Dambea wherein also lies the large Sea Dambea eighty and eight leagues long and about two hundred over call'd Bar-Dambea by the Inhabitants first falling in the Countrey of Bagameder thence gliding forward through the Regions of Amaharam Olekam Gauz Bizamo and Gongos and increased by the addition of other Rivers turns towards the North visiting the Fields of Fasculo at last intermingling with the River Malegt where it borders upon Nubia The third Channel is the rich River Takaze rising from three Springs on the borders of the Kingdom of Angola whence after a Western course between Daganam and Haogam it winds towards the North by the Kingdom of Tygre and dividing the Region of Syre turns Eastward Afterwards falling into the River Mareb or Marabo which begins near Baroa they joyntly water the Countrey of Dengiri call'd by the Moors who enjoy it Ballai and unites at last with the Nile by the City Jalak There are the three Rivers which principally make up the Nile and enrich his Bosome with such plentiful Streams Thus far have we traced the opinions of Kircher and Vossius Now we proceed to declare what the Cataracts thereof be divers having written strange things thereof But first as to the name It is call'd by Pliny and other Latine Authors and by the people also who live thereabouts Catadupae and by the present Inhabitants Katadhi which in their Tongue signifies A Rushing Noise This happens at the Hill Gianadel where his even Current is broken by the sharp rocks through or over which it makes passage The place of this Fall according to the Antients contains * Above six miles fifty Furlongs filled up with huge and inaccessible rocks over which the Nile making his way falls with such an impetuous force and prodigious noise that as the Antients write the people who dwell thereabouts were all deaf by reason thereof But Experience now adays hath taught us that this Noise hath no such effect whilst the River keeps his usual stream but when he begins to rise the Noise encreases but yet is never so
great that people should loose their hearing by it Though 't is true the Waters rush downwards two hundred foot roaring like the Breaches of the Sea in a Tempest from hence then sliding in a gentle Current over the Plains of Egypt to Cairo where the Haven of Bulach towards Villamont carryes in bredth two mile then leaving Cairo behinde him he parts into two and after into more Branches The Inhabitants for distinction sake have call'd the Tract of Land Eastward Garbiah and the places Southward near the Angle or Point of Damiata Chargnia These Branches or Arms make the several Mouthes of Nile which the Antients have especially noted to be seven But Ptolomy sets down nine which two are missing and Pliny encreases them to eleven whereof four are wanting The names of the supposed seven remaining are these The Heraclean call'd also Canopean and Naucratian The Bolbitian Sebennitian Pathmetian by Strabo nam'd Fatnian and by * In his Euterpe Herodotus Bucolian The Mendesian Tanitian and Pelusian The two wanted are Dialcos and Pineptimi But if we take the †What ever was or is their number antient or modern Maps vary among themselves for whereas Ptolomy hath set forth nine Hondius in his Map of Africa makes but eight and in that of Europe ten Ortelius in the Map of the Turkish Empire setteth down eight in that of Egypt eleven And Maginus in his Map of that Countrey hath observ'd the same number And if we enquire farther we shal find the same diversity and discord in divers others Thus we may perceive that this Account hath been always different concerning these Ostiaries of Nile Nilus as he is at present we shall finde nine Mouthes great and small the chiefest and most remarkable being the Canopean now stiled Rosetta from its neighborhood The Pelusian by some taken for the Ostiary were Damiata but seemeth rather the Tanitian from its near adjacency to Tenez The Bolbitian known by very few The Sebennitian now beareth the Name of Sturioni The Pathmetian retains the old Name The Mendetian and Damiatian by some are supposed the same though others call it Migri The Tanitian at this day known to some by the name of Kalixen and to others of Tenez or Tanez Pineptimi is taken for that which in the Maps in nam'd Brule Lastly Diolcos that is wanting Sanutius stiles Damanora Modern Geographers much abate this number Peter de la Valle his Journal Maginus Guil. Tyrius Bellonius attesting there are but three or four to wit The Rosettian and Damiatian and two other little Rivulets running between these but poor in waters We come now to the Description of the Countrey wherein for Methods sake we will begin with the Cities ¶ EGypt as we declared before is at present by the Turks divided into three Parts Description of the Westerly parts of Egypt We will take our view from the Westerly call'd Erriff extending to the Point of the Sea by Barca a Countrey belonging to Barbary and reaching from thence to Rosetta containing all the places between the two Arms of Nilus from Alexandria and Rosetta to Cairo First To the West of Barca lyes a City by the Antients call'd * A â—ort or Castle of the Arabians Plinthina and now by the Italians The Arabian Tower near adjoyning to which is the Sea Monester Busiris or Bosiri Next to the old City Busiris now term'd Bosiri on the Coast of the Mid-land Sea about twenty miles westward of Alexandria heretofore by the Christians subdu'd and totally destroy'd This Busiris whence the Busirian Precinct formerly takes its name is call'd in the Bible by Ezekiel * Cap. 30. In our English Translation it is rendred Pathros Phatures Some will have this City so call'd from the feigned †Syntagm Chorograph Aegypti Busiris who sacrificed all his Guests to Jupiter and was the most cruel Tyrant of all Egypt Others draw its Denomination from * There is in this Countrey a Pillar with this Inscription Mihi Pater est Saturnus Deorum junior sum vero Osyris Rex qui totum peragravi orbem usque ad Indiorum fines ad cos quoque sum profectus qui septentrioni subjacent usque ad Istri fontes alias partes usque ad Oceanum Dr. Brown c. Nowaccording to the best Determinations Osyris was Mizraim and Saturnus Egyptus the same with Cham after whose name Egypt is not only called in Scripture the Land of Ham but testified by Plutarch who in his Treatise De Osyride says Egypt was called Chamia a Chamo Noe filio Osyris the Egyptian Jupiter or Hercules and the Arabians from Busir the son of Cham. Kircher says it is so nam'd from the Egyptian Idol Apis signifying in their Tongue An Ox into which shape as Diodorus reports he was transformed and then the Name in the Old Egyptian Language must be Busosirin that is The Kings Ox. The Grecians confound this City with Thebes although they be distant the whole length of Egypt From the Name Busiris it may be supposed the Inhabitants worshipp'd an Ox Osiris as they hold first shewing himself in such a similitude But the truth is he was a man as they say though much controverted and a great Enricher of that Nation upon this their idolizing of an Ox and scituation of the City so near to Memphis or Cairo as also to †Called also Ez. 30.17 Aven Heliopolis which was Rameses the constant place of residence to the Israelites whence might perhaps the worship of the Golden Calf in the Wilderness take its original Not far from Bosiri lyeth Alexandria Alexandria so call'd from Alexander the Great who built it about three hundred years before the Birth of Christ chiefly employing therein the famous Architect Dinocrates Some say it was antiently call'd Noy It s several Names The Hebrews knew it by the Name of No-Ammon The Romans of Pharos Sebastia Augusta Julia Claudia Domitiana and Alexandria The Egyptians formerly styled it Racotis and say it was built by one Dalucka an Egyptian Queen after the drowning of Pharaoh in the Red-Sea The European Christians call it to this day Alexandria but the Turks Scanderoon which is the same with Alexandria De Stadt ALEXANDRIE of SCANDERIK The City AS EXANDRIA or SCANDERIX The City lyeth on the edge of the Mid-land Sea on a Sandy ground It s Scituation near the Canobian Mountains of the Nile Lee Africanus mistaken though Leo Africanus placeth it forty Miles to the Westward of Nile in regard near Cairo it begins to divide it self in two Arms and so in strictness looseth its name as he supposeth and about seven or eight hundred paces from the Haven which is very spacious for Ships but dangerous because of the two great Promontories of Rocks standing on either side in the entrance call'd by the French Diamant and Girofele but generally known by the names of the Tower Port and the Chain'd Port The former very
Ammianus like Livy who said that it was a work becoming the most Excellent Wise and Provident Kings And Ammianus pathetically Among all the Buildings the Serapeum bad the pre-eminence wherein was that invaluable Library containing all antient Records of Memorable Transactions in seven hundred thousand Books by the diligence of the Ptolomies Kings of Egypt gathered together but in the Wars of Alexandria and Destruction of the City burnt by that most Pernicious destroyer * Caesar being the most eminent for Arms and Acts accounted this his greatest misfortune that he so great a Lover of Books should be the cause of such an irrepairable destruction Agellius Julius Caesar All the Books says Agellius were burnt in the fore-mentioned Wars of Alexandria when the City was destroyed not wilfully nor of set purpose but perhaps by the multitude of helpers to save it He excuses not onely Julius Caesar but also the Romane Souldiers and lays the fault upon the unruly crew of assistants But Dio and Plutarch speak clean otherwise Dio and Plutarch as may be read more at large in their Writings Thus had this never to be parallel'd Library its end in the hundred eighty and third * Not much above forty years before the Incarnation Olympiade after it had continued an hundred and twenty four years Another Library was after re-erected by Cleopatra in the Serapeum It is again rebuilt by Cleopatra which by the help of Mark Anthony who obtained the Attalian and Pergamenian Libraries was greatly adorned and enriched and in being to the time of Primitive Christianity and was there preserved so long as the Serapeum which was a Building of great Entertainment and wonderful Art continued And at last with the Serapeum utterly subverted which at length the Christians in the Reign of the Emperor Theodosius the Great as a Harbor of Infidelity threw to the ground Over against Alexandria stands the renowned Island Pharos The Island Pharos by the Inhabitants call'd Magraf or Magragh and by the Arabians Magar Alexandri that is Pharos of Alexandria and by Ortelius Pharion from the Lanthorn Tower which stands upon the Island and now call'd Garophalo In the time of Homer Alexandria and this Island were severed by a Part of the Sea about a days sayling from the Land whereof himself thus speaks Od. lib. 4. Pharos an Isle amidst the swelling Deep ' Gainst Egypt lyes from whence a nimble Ship May sayl 'twixt Sun and Sun with Sayls a trip 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hom. Od. 1ib 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. But now it is part of the Main Land the reason whereof is because the river Nile by his evomition of Soyl and Mud has constantly gained upon the Sea To this place of Homer Lucan alludes in his tenth Book thus Tunc claustrum Pelagi cepit Pharon Insula quondam In medio stetit illa mari sub tempore vatis Proteos at nunc est Pelleis proxima muris Then he took Pharos circled with the Main Where Fate fore-telling Proteus once did reign But now to Alexandria joyn'd Pinetus and others will have nothing lye between this City and Island but a Bridge but Villamont who hath searcht more narrowly saith Piuetus it is now united to the Continent and the Walls of the City in such manner Villamont that the Island makes two Points one Eastward another West 'T is united to the Main Land which almost meet in two other Points running from the Main Land into the Open Sea But makes two Haven leaving two Passages into the Havens one of which is call'd Porto Vecchio that is The Old Haven and hath no Defence as it is said but the Castle of the old City by the Italians nam'd Castel Vecchio But the other Haven hath two opposite Forts yet not so far distant but that they can answer and defend each other Two Castles nor can any Ship go in and out between them without leave The greater Fort is much the stronger having high Walls fenced with Towers besides a quadrangular Work of Defence And in it beneath is a Watch or Cour du Guâ—â—d for Security and above are Lights that give direction for Ships coming in to finde the Channel This great Castle on the right hand the Italians call Pharzion and that on the left Castelletto or The Little Castle Both of them are subject to great inconveniences by the want of fresh water which they are compell'd to fetch from the City every day on Camels backs The Soyl hereabout The nature of the Soyl in and about Alexandria as we said already is sandy bearing neither Bush nor Vine and so barren that it is unfit to be sown all the Corn that serves the City comes about forty miles off down the Artificial Channels of Nile There are some small Orchards but they onely produce Fruits so unwholesom that they commonly bring such as eat them into dangerous Feavers and other malignant Distempers They have abundance of Capers and Tamarisk-Plants and Hamala which is a Root they make Wine of like the Herb Anthillis by the Arabians named Killu or Kalli Kalli a Plant. and is of three sorts the two first are found in Europe but the third is peculiar to Egypt having few Leaves and very like Field-cypress but longer The Stalk is single and somewhat crooked out of which two or three small Branches shoot forth and grow upright each of which hath a Blade furnisht with five bending Leaves or more as appears ABOVE ENGRAVEN Venice Glasses made with the ashes thereof and other ingredients Out of these three sorts first dried in the Sun and then burnt Ashes are made from thence transported to Venice wherewith and a mixture of Soap and other Ingredients they make those most clear and chrystaline Glasses The Physical use of the Leaves and Juice so well known through Europe for their rarity It is also said that the Leaves beaten and taken in a convenient Vehicle cleanse Flegm and a dust Choller The same vertue is attributed to the strained Juice of them Thus much we have thought fit to say of Alexandria the Seat of the Antient Egyptian Kings and Birth-place of Ptolomy the Prince of Geographers and Astronomers from whence it must be concluded that all the state and ostentation of this City by Historians mentioned is to be understood of the time before its first destruction A great Staple of rich Merchandize still and therefore there are Consuls at Alexandria or Scanderoon at this day however notwithstanding the several desolations thereof yet always hath it driven on Trade and Merchandize by the continual coming in of Ships from several Countreys insomuch that divers European Princes have their Consuls there for the Management of Affairs and Deciding Controversies that may arise between their inhabitants and their Subjects to this day ¶ NExt Alexandria in the East lyeth the wasted City
Bocchir by others Bicchieri Bocchir or Canopus and formerly call'd * This City was so call'd from Canobus Menelaus his Pilot there buried by his Master who on these Coasts had suffered Shipwrack Zacit Annal. 2. Canopus perhaps from the Egyptian Idol Canopus which in this Precinct of Land was call'd Phtenuti and there antiently worship'd Of this place thus speaketh that Prince of Latine Poets Virgil Georg. Lib. 4. Nam quia Pellaei gens fortunata Canopi Accolit effuso stagnantem flumine Nilum Et circum pictis vehitur sua rura Phaselis Where happy people plant Canopus Soyl And dwell near spreading Streams of flowing Nile And through their Countrey painted Vessels glide c. Through the World noted for luxurious Practices and varied forms of Effeminacy whereof the Satyrist thus Luxuria quantum ipse notavi Barbara famoso non cedit turba Canopo Canopean Banquets now seem poor and small Juven Sat. 25. Rome beggars boasts at Feasts more prodigal For within Canopus stood the Temple of Serapis to whose Festivals resorted all sorts of people from Alexandria men and women mixt in painted Barges chanting down the Nile Love-Songs behaving themselves with all sorts of looseness beyond the bounds of Modesty concerning which Statius brings in Pampinius thus excusing himself Non ego mercatus Pharia de puppe loquaces Delicias doctumve sui convitia Nili Infantem linguaque simul salibusque protervum Dilexi I bought no Songs nor pleas'd with boys so vile Lib 5. That imitate all Vices of the Nile Chanting with shameless gestures on the Decks Amongst whom saith Seneca who so avoided vice yet could not escape infamy the very place administring suspicion and therefore worthily buried in its own Desolations After that is to be seen the Tower and Cape of Bocchir lying in a dangerous place where many Ships sayling from Syria are bilg'd in the night falling short of the Haven of Alexandria adjoyning as it were hereto two Castles appear call'd The Castles of Bocchir here also is the Sea Bocchir and below it the Towns Casar and Athacon About this City but chiefly towards Cario there groweth in the Ditches a Plant call'd The Egyptian Plomp or Lotus Lotus a Plant. in such an abundance that the Leaves resembling those of the Water-lillies cover the whole Channel The Egyptians call the Flower with its Stalk Arais el Nil the Leaf with the Stalk Bush-nyl and the Root Biarum This Plant hath the property of growing exactly as high as the Water in the Ditches and opens his Flowers not underneath the Water but above it 't is certainly true that it turns about with the Sun though the Antients disputed it This Plant for its near resemblance to a Water-lilly Prosper Alpinus was deceiv'd in taking it for the very same though afterwards in his Book of Forrain Plants he retracted his opinion Every Leaf hath a single Stalk growing out of the Root which is thick long and round in shape resembling a small Pear the biggest sometimes as large as a Hens Egg On the outside black and full of Fibres within yellowish and very pelpy and hard and sharp in taste on the tongue The Flowers are large like white Water-lillies as we said whereof every one grows on the top of a green and round Stalk smelling like a Pink After the Flowers follow round green Cods containing in distinct bags a sort of Seed not unlike that of a Cabbage After the Earth hath drunk up the Water of Nile and is dried up immediately the Leaves Flowers and Fruit wither and dye The Flowers of this Lotus were in former times The use of the Lotus as well heretofore as now as Heliodorus writes wreathed in the Triumphant Garlands of Conquerors Now adays the Juice of the Flowers and knobby Cods mixed with Sugar by the Arabians call'd Sharbet Nufar is used against all inward heats Thus made they mingle Sugar and Water which hang'd over the fire they suffer to boyl till it come to the consistence of a Syrup then taken off and cooled the pure Juyce of the Lotus is put into it The Egyptians in the Summer eat the raw Stalks with the Heads being very sweet moistening and cooling very much A little further up in the Countrey there is the small City Natumbes Natumbes half a days journey from Rosetta and lying on the opposite shore Next is the old City Fuoa or Foa formerly call'd Nicy seated on the Banks of Nile Fuoa five and forty Miles Westward of Rosetta very populous but the Streets within are narrow having great Suburbs famous for Beautiful Women Ladies of Pleasure residing there assuming to themselves so much more than the usual freedom allow'd to modest Women they Entertain and are Entertain'd publickly by their Gal-lants at Night returning home to their always indulgent and kind Husbands without the least rebuke or once questioning Where hast thou been About a Mile from Fuoa lyes the Island now nam'd Gezirat Eddeheb The Golden Island but formerly Nathos or The Golden Island Here are many Villages Mechella and stately Palaces but not to be seen at a distance by reason of the shadow of surrounding Trees Here also is the rich but ill fenced City Mechella or Maquella A little forward on the River stands the un-walled City Derota Derota and Michellat Cays as also Michellat Cays on a high Hill In Derota was heretofore a stately Church and the Citizens flourish'd in wealth and abundance The Countrey so abounding with Sugar that they pay yearly to the Sultan for the freedom of making and refining it a hundred thousand Gold Saraffies or Turkish Crowns But within the last Century of years this place is much decayed and the Citizens impoverish'd ¶ ELbeahrye or Beheyra the second part of Egypt The second part of Egypt and its extent extends from the Mid-land Sea to the Easterly Arm of Nilus running to Damiata and beginning from the Borders of Rosetta and ending at Faramide wherefore the Egyptians call it Sealand and the Italians Maremma In this Quarter of Egypt is first on the East of Beheyra the Cape or Point of Brule in former times known by the name of Pineptimi and by Ptolomy taken for one of the Nilian Mouths it is enclosed in the form of a Haven and receives the water shooting out of the Eastern Arm of the Nile Not far from thence lyeth Damiata or Damiette by Nicetas in his Journals of Emanuel taken for Tamiathim but by the Antients for Pelusium and by Stephanus for Tamiates Guilandinus will have it be Tanis spoken of in the Holy Scripture but Auchard distinguishes Tanis and Damiata making Tanis the same with Tenex or Tenez which hath given the name to the Tanitian Mouth Others will not onely have Pelusium as we said but also the antient Heliopolis to be the now Damiata which error and mistake is very great since Pelusium according to general consent is seated near the Mid-land
Sea whereas Heliopolis lyes up within the Land many Miles from the Sea Damiata lyes in a bottom Damiata about two Miles from the Mediterranean on the shore of Nile which runs through and waters it on both sides on whose Banks there stands a Fort upon one side but on the other are onely Houses for having no Walls the lowness of its scituation makes it strong and tenable enough by reason thereof it becomes also most delightful and fertile the Inclosures and Gardens abounding with Trees of Cassia Limons Vines Musae and all manner of other delicious Fruits which here according to their several kinds are more delighted with the soil than all the rest of Egypt for by the Trenches here which is so no where else after the retreat of the Nile the waters are let in to moisten the thirsty Lands in the time of Drowth In these Trenches grows a Weed that moves to and fro upon the water resembling that we call Ducks-Meat or Ducks-Madder without Stalk or Root shooting downward onely many small strings and threds The Leaves are of a pale green like those of Dogs-tongue but shorter broader thicker whiter more bristly and stinging This Plant is the true Stratiotes Milfoyl or Souldiers-Herb of the Antients having Leaves like Houseleek Water House-leek and is therefore call'd by the Egyptians Hay-alem-Emovi that is Water House-leek The juice or powder good to stop Blood It has no smell and in taste is choaky and dry The Egyptians use the Leaves for the same Diseases The juice or powder good to stop Blood for which we take Mallows The Bedori or Countrey-women use the Juice or Powder of the dry Leaves daily a quarter of an Ounce The Leaves cure wounds against all immoderate Fluxes of Blood The Countreymen cure all Wounds with the Leaves The Leaves cure wounds which they apply stamped or crushed in a strange manner Next in the East stands Tenez Tenez or Tenex by Burchard call'd Taphnis and taken for Tanis in Holy Scripture The Lake Stagnone being in the Land of Goshen Adjacent thereto is the Lake by Mariners as Pinetus reports call'd Stagnone or Barathra by the Inhabitants Bayrene and by Montegarze in his Travels Marera This Lake is very dangerous because of the Sands whereof some appear above and others treacherously sculking underneath The next in course is Arrise Arrise formerly Ostracine and in many old Maps Ostraca and Ostraci then comes Pharamide by some stil'd Pharamica and formerly Rhinocura and by Strabo placed on the Coast of Egypt and Syria Burchard thinks it is Pharma which he saith is large and well built but in a manner deserted by the Inhabitants overpowr'd by the encrease of Serpents From thence passing Southward by the point of Nile towards Cairo Seru. Rascaillis there are two antient places call'd Seru and Rascaillis near Neighbors There is here Masura or Masur Masur formerly Miscormus near a branch of Nile call'd by the Inhabitants Batsequer Here Lewis the Ninth King of France was taken Prisoner in the Battel which he fought against the Soldan of Egypt After Masura followeth Demanora and many other places of which the most worthy of note is Fustatio or Fostat Fustat that is A Pavilion It is a small place lying on the Nile and call'd by the Inhabitants Misreatichi that is The Old City which name by good right it challenges in respect of Cairo whose Founder was an Arabian Commander named Hanier sent thither by the Califfe his Master on the side of Chargni Mevy Cambri lyes Mevy Cambri betwixt Damiata and Grand Caire after which may be reckon'd Caracania Bulgaite Abessus and Souba Having passed the forementioned places we now come to enter the third part of Egypt call'd Sahyd otherwise according to Sanutius Thebes from Thebes once the Court and Seat of the Egyptian Kings who afterwards removed to Memphis and from thence to Alexandria and afterwards to Cairo This Province extends it self from the borders of Buchieri to Cairo and so to Assue The City CAJRVS De Stadt CAIRUS Cairo then taken for Memphis The various names of Cairo which was reputed the most antient of all Cities is call'd by the Egyptians or Coptists Monphta by the Armenians Messor by the Chaldeans Cabra by the Hebrews one while Moph otherwhile Noph or Migdal that is Wrath then again Maphez but commonly Mizraim which last name also the later Hebrews as we have said have given to the whole Countrey The Turks call it Mitzir or Missir and Alcaire Marmol Marmol and others say that Cairo is deriv'd from the Arabian word Elcahira which signifies a Society or Cloister some will have it from the Arabian and Persian Mercere or rather from the word Mesre adding moreover that an Egyptian King nam'd Mohez on the highest place of Mercere made a Bulwark and built a Castle to strengthen it against all incursions of Enemies and call'd it by his Daughters name Caireth This place at length grew so great that the first name Mercere was utterly forgotten and the name Caireth received and now known to us in Europe by no other name than that of Grand Cairo Leo Africanus Leo. Afr Marmol and others Marmol and others consent in one opinion that this City is not antient being founded by Gehoar-El-Quitib the Subject of a nameless Caliph from all which it may be concluded that the old Memphis is either quite ruin'd or had another scituation Memphis is an Egyptian word and has its derivation from Monphta The Original of the word Memphis as we said which in the Egyptian Tongue signifies The Water of God and by the Grecians chang'd into Memphis For what cause or how the City got this denomination Opinions are various one not improbable may be this Kircher Chorogr Egypt p. 27. When the Sons of Cham began to send Colonies into these parts some say they pitched their first Tents upon the Memphian Hills the Lower parts generally as afore-mentioned lying under water as a Lake but afterwards as the Ground became more dry the City was Built by Mizraim the Son of Cham upon the Shore of Nilus calling it by his own name Mizraim afterwards the Countrey and City by the fruitful overflowings of the River becoming more fertile they conceive it was call'd Monphta that is The Water of God and by variation of Dialect corrupted to Memphis Herodotus affirms in his second Book Herodot Enterpe that Memphis was Built by the first Egyptian King Menes who is held to be the same with Mizraim This Memphis now Cairo was divided into four parts viz. Bulach Charaffa Old Cairo and Grand Cairo the two first were generally accounted among the Suburbs of Grand Cairo but are now as also Old Cairo so ill furnish'd with Houses that they seem rather Villages than Cities It containeth in its circuit Beauvau the mentioned places with their Suburbs according to Beauvau is thirty Leagues though
journey through the African Wildernesses and therewith when they are by the heat of the Sun inflamed and thirsty it admirably cools comforts and quenches their Drowth a special Blessing nay sometimes they cure burning Feavers The Liquor wherein these Leaves have been steeped a Week sweetned with Sugar and drank is good against Malignant and putrid Agues Lastly they use them in all Inflammations of the Liver and Reins and also to cure the Gonorrhaea In these parts about Cairo Calaf especially in moist places grows a little shrubby Tree like a Willow the Egyptians call it Caleb or Calaf The Leaves are of a fingers length and two fingers broad at full growth The Flowers grow in form of a little ball between the Body and Stalks of the Leaves they are white of a pleasant smell grow plentifully the Flowers commonly equallizing the Leaves on the Tree From the Blossoms they extract a water call'd Macahalaf The use of it accounted very powerful against all Putrifaction and Poyson and also a great Cordial whence happily the Plant gained its name Joan. Vesting in lib. Alphin de Plant. Egypt Caleb or Calub in the Arabian tongue signifying a Heart The water of it is also specially commended against all Malignant or Quartan Agues and is given to young Children with some Graines of the Bezoar Stone to drive out the Small Pox and the Measles About seven thousand paces from Cairo El-Mattharia lyeth a Hamlet or Village call'd Mattarea and El Mattharia by some thought to be the antient Hermopolis but untruly yet by consent of most Writers is esteemed to have been the Residence of the Virgin Mary and Joseph The place whither the Virgin Mary fled with Christ from Herod's persecution with our Saviour when they fled thither from the persecution of Herod There is still to be seen a Wall with a little Window where the Christian Priests celebrate Mass upon a small Wooden Altar and on the right side of the same Wall the Turks have erected a Mosque There also springs a Fountain wherein they say the Virgin washed our Saviours Swadling-cloths the water whereof is yet in great esteem having as they say a special power for the Curing of Agues Close by this Village is a Tree known to the Antients by the name of Sycamore Sycamore Tree or Pharaoh's Fig. and by the present Christians of Egypt is call'd Tin El Pharaon Pharaohs Fig but by the Natives Giamez The Body of this Tree is low and broad parting it self into two or three spreading Branches from which again spring others strong and large close one by another * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek signifies a Fig. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Mulberry which in Summer afford Travellers a pleasant cool shade to keep off the scorching Sun-beams The whole Tree in its Stock Branches Fruit Milk roughness of Leaves and Colour resembles our Fig-tree but in form and bigness of Leaves which never fall off all Winter like the Mulberry It is as many aver so fertile that it 's never without Fruit it growing on the Stock and thick Branches and never on the uppermost as Dioscorides hath mis-reported The Fruit of it call'd Figs. This Fruit they call Figs growing out of a Milk that issues from slits in the Bark without which it would be barren for each slit sends forth a small Branch bearing sometimes three five seven or more Figs hollow within and full of a yellowish small dust which commonly turns to little Worms These Figs eaten are very hurtful to the Stomach making it faint weak and subject to vomit but they are good to cool and moisten such as walk in the heat of the Sun being moderately taken they have a purging quality and cure all heat and hard Swellings if applied by way of Plaister or Pultiss The Learned Ulpian speaking of the Miscarriages of strangers says Vlpian It is not to be pluck'd up by the Roots It is commanded that none should presume to pluck up a Sycamore by the Roots because growing upon the Trenches at the foot of Nile they binde the Earth fast together with their Roots It grows not of the Seed for the Fruit has no Seed in it but is propagated by Slips set in the Earth suddenly springing up and growing in a little while to great largeness and continues very long That which now grows in Mattharea A Sycamore in Matarea the Inhabitants believe and held to be the very same in whose Concave formerly the Virgin Mary Mary the Virgin and Jesus hide themselves therein flying from Jerusalem to avoid Herods Persecution hid her self and her Childe our Savior for some days and ever since it is held in great esteem especially the Hollow of that Tree wherein Christ lay conceal'd which the Turks themselves say proceeded from the Spirit of the great God whereupon they also shew great Devotion at this Place and Tree accounting Christ next Mahomet for a great Prophet Others affirm that this Tree by a Miracle was split in two parts between which the Virgin Mary with her Childe JESUS and Joseph put themselves to dis-appoint the Persecuting Pursuers whereinto they were no sooner entred but it immediately by like Miracle closed again till the Herodian Child-slaughterers passed by and then suddenly re-open'd to deliver its charge so as at this day is to be seen They report also The Illegitimates cannot walk under it that none unlawfully begotten can walk along under this Tree It is encompassed with a low Ditch on whose edge a bank of Earth is cast up for the ease of the Beholders the top-branches are still green and lovely though the Body toward the Root is miserably spoiled it having been observed that who ever comes out of zeal to visit or kiss this Tree commonly cuts off a piece of the Trunk to keep it in remembrance These kindes of Trees grow in several other places of Egypt in great plenty some of that largeness that three men can scarce fathom them about They are found also in the Island of Cyros Tripoli and at this day in several Gardens of Europe being brought hither out of Egypt though our Sycamore never bears Fruit but onely puts forth flourishing Branches and Leaves It was this kinde of Tree upon which Zacheus climbed to see Christ By St. Luke it is call'd Sycomoraea by St. Luke in his nineteenth Chapter and fourth Verse call'd in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Sycomoraea and the same which our Translation renders a Fig-tree which seeing fruitless he cursed that it should never bear Fruit more whereupon it presently withered Close by El-Mattharia in a Marshy and moist place caused by the long lying of the water of Nile upon it groweth a Plant call'd Beid-El-Ossar Beid-El-Ossar but by Arabian Physitians Ossar El-Usar It hath been brought and planted in Europe in several Gardens where it groweth very great and blossometh Vesting in Lib. P.
Alpin de Plant Aegypt but never beareth Fruit. The Roots grow in great clusters out of which sprout Stocks up to the height of a man The Leaves stand in couples being thick firm broad at the Stalk and oval at the end As well from the young Leaves as the ripe The form of it which are of a pale light Green and also from the Stalks and Branches broken there drops an exceeding sharp and bitter Milk which in those Countreys growing hard from its whiteness is call'd Manna or Saccar El-Usar The Saffron coloured and purple Blossoms grow in bunches at the tops of the Branches and hang by tufts on long Stalks bowing towards the Earth and yielding Bees a pleasant food The Fruit when ripe is large resembling the Cods of a Camel The reason of the Name Ossar whence it might possibly take the Name Beid-El-Ossar Ossar in the Arabian Tongue signifying the Cod of a Beast In the Seed is Wooll as soft as Silk which is used in stead of Tinder being apt to take fire from the least spark The outermost Skin is overgrown with a thin hairy Wooll call'd by the Arabians Escera and Scerara The stamped Leaves unboyled The use of it or else boyled in water and applied in form of a Plaister cure Diseases coming of Cold of the Wooll are made Beds and Quilts Alpin de Plant Egypt The Milk which many keep in Vessels fetches off the Hair from the Hides of Beasts lying awhile steeped therein Dried it makes a violent Purge causing a deadly Bloody-Flux but it is an excellent Remedy for the curing all Freckles and Spots in the Skin the parts affected being anointed therewith In some Gardens or Orchards of the same El-Mattharia The Balsam-tree grows in Arabia grow several Balsam-trees trees Theophrastus Dioscorides Pliny Justine Strabo though their proper Countrey is onely Arabia the Happy as Theophrastus Dioscorides Pliny Justine Strabo and other antient Writers have asserted The Balsam-trees are strangers in Egypt onely preserv'd in those Gardens never growing wilde but brought from Mecha in Arabia beyond the Red-sea by the Turkish Pilgrims visiting Mahomets Tomb there They continue not long but fade or wither by the alteration of the Soyl or negligent looking after in whose room others of the same brought over the same way are planted anew These Trees say those Pilgrims grow in vast numbers close by Mecha and Medina upon the Mountains and flat Grounds as also in sandy and barren places though indeed such as grow in barren Land produce little or no Balsam but much Seed which is sold into Europe and the Inhabitants to make them the more fruitful remove them into fatter Soyls That Arabia is the native Place and proper Countrey of Balsam-trees is not onely testified by the said Pilgrims but many antient Writers especially Josephus Josephus lib. 8. Hist Jud. in his Eighth Book of the Jewish History who says That the Queen of Saba brought out of Arabia to Judea a Balsam-tree and presented it as a Gift to Solomon whence afterwards others were produced But Homer celebrates Egypt for a Countrey abounding with all sorts of Medicinal Plants and Herbs among which take this his wondrous Cordial Joves Daughter Hellen Hom. Od. 4 Lib. then her self bethought Straight sending for a Cordial to compound Would Rage and Grief both in Oblivion drown'd Who ere drinks this commixt with Wine though dead He saw his Parents not one Tear would shed In a whole day nor him his Brother more Or Son would trouble weltring in their gore On her this Medicine to appease all woe Did Polydamna Thonus Wife bestow Rich Egypts Product many Simples there Make wondrous Compounds some that deadly are The Natives great Physitians prove and all From * Apollo Paeon boast their high Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sykomorus Kalâ—t Tamarind-boom Balzâ—m-boom The Balsam-tree shoots very high with few Leaves which as Dioscorides saith The Form of a Balsam-tree are of a green colour whitish and do not fall off in winter The Wood is gummy cleaving to the fingers smelling well and light outwardly of a reddish colour the Branches are long straight rough and full of Leaves without order and some like the Leaves of a Mastick-tree The Blossoms are small growing in form of a Coronet five on every Stalk of a pleasing Scent though fading in a little time After the Blossoms follow yellow sweet-scented Seeds inclosed in a reddish-black bladder wherein is a moisture like Honey It is bitterish and a little sharp upon the tongue and of the same shape and bigness with the fruit of the Turpentine-tree in the middle thick and at the ends pointed Opo-balsamum in the summer drops from the slit of the insected Barks of these Trees as soon as it cometh into the Air it becomes whitish afterwards green Opa-balsamum what it is then of a Gold Colour lastly paler The strained Balsam is at first clear but becomes instantly thick and cloudy and when old groweth like Turpentine when it first drops it is of so strong a smell as causeth in many the Head-ache and in some causes a sudden bleeding at the Nose but this sharp and strong savour at length changes into a pleasant scent which in old Balsam is so weak that you can hardly discover any smell at all Observe here All Balsams comes not out of the Bark or Rinde That all the Balsam brought over from Cairo in Flaskets and Leathern-bottles though it be very odoriferous yet it is no pure Liquor or Gum issuing from the bark of the Tree as aforesaid but is drawn out of the Wood and green Branches by boyling which yet is not all retained pure but frequently adulterate with Cyprus Turpentine They press another sort of Balsam out of the Seed which is many times sold for right though not so strong-scented and bitter in taste There is no Medicine in more esteem It s use or greater use with the Egyptians than this for they apply it almost against all Diseases proceeding from Cold Moisture or Poison curing with it all Wounds that are not deep and accompanied with fractured Bones or cut Sinews in a short time It heals also all venomous bitings of Serpents and Scorpions A Universal or Catholick Medicine either taken inwardly or spread upon the Wound It is an extraordinary Preservative against the Plague taking half a quarter of an Ounce inwardly It drives away all inveterate Agues and Feavers that proceed from Putrifaction cleanseth all unconcocted and cold Humors and inward Obstructions if daily a quarter of an ounce be taken inwardly Very operative in opening
of the Reins and Bladder For it quenches or allays the inordinate heat of the Kidneys and an excellent Vehicle for carrying off the slimy dregs out of those Vessels through the Bladder so that the Egyptians by the frequent use thereof are absolutely freed from the Stone It is also useful against pains in the Limbs arising from heat especially against the Gout applyed by way of Plaister The Blossoms Candied with Sugar are a powerful Remedy against the Heat of the Kidneys and cleanse and free the Uretories from vicious and slimy foulness The green Pipes first decocted in water and then dryed in the shade and lay'd in Sugar or Honey are used commonly by Women and Children against the same Distempers taking the weight of half an Ounce at a time The Plant by the Arabians in Egypt call'd Elhanne Elhanna and by the Physicians Alcanna grows with many Branches like a little Shrub The Leaves resemble those of the Olive being shortish but something broad of a fresh and flourishing green The Blossoms grow as those of the Elder-tree and used by the Women as a comfortable refreshment in their Baths A decoction of the Leaves prevents the falling off of Hair and drives away Vermin the Egyptian Women with the Juyce of the Leaves and Branches paint their Nails in the manner of a Semi-circle which remains long without wearing off Of the stamped powder of the Leaves which they call Archenda mixt with water is made a Gold colour wherewith they stain their Hands and Feet which yellow tincture they hold for a great Beauty Lablab a Tree with many Branches climbing and spreading like a Vine Lablab but in Leaves Blossoms and Form resembling the Roman Bean. Twice a year that is in Lent and Harvest it bears long and broad Cods or Shells which contain in them Black and Brown reddish Beans streaked as the Roman This continues many times without sensible decay a hundred years carrying both Winter and Summer green Leaves The Egyptians use the Beans for food which are no less pleasant than the European The Women drink the Decoction of it for their Moneths and it is good against the stopping of the Urine and the Cough Melochia is an Herb growing a Cubit high with thin and limber Twigs Melochia The Leaves are like those of a Beet but smaller long and sharp-pointed The Blossoms are little and colour'd like Saffron the Seeds little and black in a Husk like a Horn. The Seed is us'd to prevent Swooning-fits and ripens all hard Swellings though this be common yet is nothing more acceptable to the Palate for they boyl it either alone in water or in Pottage as we dress Beets at Feasts they both garnish and season their Dishes with it which is very pleasing yet notwithstanding this repute it agrees not over-well with many for it yields but slender nutriment and a flimy juice breeding in such as eat much of it great stoppings and Costiveness in their Bowels The taste also is something flashy and flat unless quicken'd with Juice of Lemons The Decoction of the Leaves is very good against the Cough and half an ounce of the Seed makes a sufficient Purge Sesban is a Sprout with a prickly Stock Sesban shooting up to the height of a Myrtle Tree the Blossoms are yellow the Husks or Cods long and like those of Fenugreek so also is the Seed and hath an attractive power like the Fenugreek Seed The Egyptians commonly make Hedges or Fences between their Grounds with this Bush Sophera is a Plant two Cubits high and leaved like the Myrtle Sophera it bears scentless yellow Blossoms with few Seeds which are said to be poisonous Absus is an Hearb with Leaves like the common Clover or Three-leav'd Grass Absus the Blossom white or straw-colour'd the Seed black and the Stalk prickly The Plant known to the Egyptians by the Name Sempsen Sempsen but by the Greeks and Latines call'd Sesamus grows upright a foot and half high the lower Leaves are more indented or nicked than the higher and are very like those of Nightshade The Blossoms are small and white followed by small Cods holding a Seed like Line-seed out of which Oyl is pressed which the Arabians call Zeid Taib that is Good Oyl because it is so wholesom a Food that it is sold dearer than the Oyl-Olive The Leaves The use of it Seed and Oyl moderately hot and moist in the second degree of an extenuating quality are by the Egyptians us'd against many Diseases The Countrey people heretofore fed thereon and grew fat with it but now the Oyl is chiefly us'd to take away Freckles and Spots in the Skin and to anoint Sores The Plant Berd or Papyrus Berd or Papyrus groweth upon the Nile having a reedy or stringy Root with many streight Stalks six seven or more Cubits high above water at the end of which is a multitude of long and very small Threeds seeming as a Blossom The Leaves are Triangular soft below at the Stalk broad and at the end sharp in form of a Cross-barr'd Dagger Surgeons there use the Juyce of the Leaves to cleanse and enlarge the Orifices of Sores and with the Ashes of the tops of the Stalks close and heal up the Wounds The Roots in former times serv'd in stead of Writing-Tablets The use of them the Juyce of the Stalks wrought into thin Leaves the Antients wrote upon as we now adayes do upon our Paper made of old Linnen and probably from this Plant took the name Papyrus There is a signature of a Sprig or Stalk of this Plant Carv'd upon several Obelisks whereby they signifyed the great abundance of all things because this Plant served them formerly in stead of all necessary Commodities for before the Planting of Corn was known in Egypt the people lived on this Plant making thereof Cloaths Boats all manner of Houshold-stuffe Garlands for the Gods and Shooes for the Priests But at this day by the carelessness of the Inhabitants and the importing of our European Paper thither it is by them esteemed of no worth at all There grows also a kinde of Cucumers in several places in Egypt Chate nam'd Chate differing onely from ours in Europe in greatness clearness and softness of the Leaves which are smaller whiter softer and rounder they have a very pleasant taste and are light and easie of digestion The Inhabitants account them very wholsom either eaten boyled or raw and Physicians use them against burning Feavers and several other like Distempers There grow also several kinds of Melons Abdellavi one call'd Abdellavi much differing from ours another kinde Chajar of an unpleasant and watery taste but the Seed is held to be more cooling Batechia El Mavi than of the rest A third sort call'd Batechia El Mavi bigger than ours yellow of Skin and hath within nothing but Seeds and sweet water which they drink in great abundance against Thirst and to allay
the ground with one and sideling with the other but which is yet stranger it will draw one Eye to its Back and make a survey behind while the other takes a prospect forwards They make at their Meals also Merriment It Eats devouring or swallowing whole neither pecking as Fowl nor chawing like Cattel nor sucking like Lampreys and leeches but with an odd and sudden flutter of the Tongue shot out near a hands breadth ingurges the caught prey in a trice This member being nothing else but a hollow Pipe The fashion of the Tongue fleshy and spongy wherein are some Sinews easier to shut together than a Gin or Trap because those Nerves proceeding from the Os Hyoides and running through the Cavity draws the same after expansion back again with its prey sticking to a glutinous stuff wherewith it is covered This refutes the opinions of the Antients who believed the Camelion liv'd by the Air whereas in truth it lives by such receiv'd nourishment as we have declared It appropriates to it self another peculiar quality in the Opinion of some old Writers who deliver that the Camelion changes colour according to the several objects presented First in the Eyes then in the Tail after that in the whole Body Cameleons vary not colour with their objects And this alteration of colours many Authors conjecture and among others the Roman Panarolus affirms to proceed from the Systole and Diastole of the Heart which according to sensibility of heat or cold beats quicker or slower the quicker striking a redness whereas the slow reduces him to his own natural Ash-colour for it retains that hew even after Death though a little paler The Ichneumon of old call'd by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ichneumon a Hog from rooting in the Earth but now by Bellonius nam'd The Egyptian and by Elianus The Indian Rat though some will have it The Egyptian Otter it much resembles a Cat but longer and of a rougher hair colour'd between bay and dun round Ears black Legs and a long stern taporing from the Hanch to the end Near the Fundament appears another wide passage hairy all over which hath given Writers occasion to suppose that this Beast was a Hermaphroditick At the approach of any Beast it bunches the Back and bristles up the Hair as in defiance daring to set upon Mastiff Dogs nay upon Horses or Camels and will leave a Cat breathless at three strokes he seizeth his prey couching like a Bull-Dog upon the ground and at length rising upon the hinder legs falls upon it with a leap When he draws to Battel against the Asps he rolls first in the Mud then dryes himself in the Sun or else dips over head in water and then tumbles to gather up the dust which she uses as defensive Arms against the Enemy The Scincos which Dioscorides suppos'd to be the Land-Crocodile Scincos and Bellonius the small Crocodile in outward appearance one and the same having four feet and as big sayes Bellonius as the Salamander with a round knotty Tail Renodeus appropriates to it many small and yellow knobs a long Head and a round Tail somewhat crooked at the end with a blew list or streak from the point of the stern to the crown of his Head They feed upon sweet smelling Flowers and bury their Eggs whose flesh they use Physically as Cantharides to heighten Venus The Bird Ibis hath long Legs and a crooked Beak being of two sorts viz. The Bird Ibis the white found all over Egypt and the black onely to be had at Damiata and no where else The white ones have a head like a Sea-pie and a pointed and hooked red Beak about a Thumbs breadth It represents the form of a mans Heart when hiding the Head and Neck in the Feathers under its Breast Plutarch says it weighs but half an Ounce when first hatched Gaudentius Merula gives it a Heart too big if compar'd with the Body Elianus avers that his Guts are ninety and six Cubits long which are shrunk together so long as the Moon is near the Change unseen This Bird with which all the ways to Alexandria are filled is so peculiar to Egypt that it will starve it self to death if transported thence Yet some say the like is found about Licha in the utmost parts of Africa They eat Serpents Grashoppers and such like A West-winde drives them out of the Lybian Desarts into these parts where they are very numerous and much nourished because of their enmity to Serpents And for this reason they say Josephus that when Moses drew into the Field against the Moors through places beset with Serpents he took these Birds along with him shut up in Paper Cages For fear of the Cats they make their Nests upon high Palm-trees Some hold but with what reason is yet controverted that a Basilisk or Cockatrice is bred out of the Eye of this Bird Ibis But most certain says Elian that the Feathers and Eggs stupifying take away all motion from the Crocodile it makes it self clean when preparing to sleep This Creature first taught the use of Clisters and Syringes for with the crooked Bill as with a Syringe it injects Salt-water into his own Bowels to open its vent when obstructed and from thence says the same Elian Plutarch and Pliny the Egyptians took that Chyrurgical Practice Another observable thing and peculiar to this Bird is that it will drink no foul or unwholesom water wherefore the Egyptian Priests made Holy-water of such as the Ibis had drunk Bellonius says A Sacred Hawk here is a Sacred Hawk because formerly worshipp'd by all the people large as a great Raven headed like a Kite but of the usual colour of Hawks 'T is a Bird of Prey abounding not onely here but in Syria though very seldom and sometimes also in Caramia It had so much repute as to give the name Baieth to one of the Provinces of the Countrey as the Crocodile did to Crocodilopites the Dog to Cynopolites and the like The Priests comprehended great Mysteries under this Bird It signifies great Mysteries among the Egyptians and their Figure was carv'd upon almost all their Spires or Obelisks where always uppermost was the Deity of the Sun acknowledged to be full of Spirit Light and Life For this saith Horus the Egyptians call'd them Baieth and Thaustus Bai signifying the Life and Eth an Heart because as the Heart is the Fountain of Life so the Sun is the Heart or Soul of the World for this reason the Egyptian Priests did conceit that the Hawk The Egyptian Hawk or rather the Eagle drinks no water because of the similitude of Nature which it hath with the Soul drinketh no water but blood whereby they imagine the Soul to be nourish'd In their Hieroglyphical Writings a Hawk represented God partly because above all other Fowl it seems to be the Image of the Sun being observ'd out of a peculiar and hidden
the Souls of the wicked they supposed to go into more vile and despicable Creatures as the dull Hippotames Horses Asses and the like And that both Gods and Kings walked up and down under such disguises to punish Vices and encourage Vertue where-ever found ¶ EGypt also hid within its Bowels great Quarries of all sorts of Marble as appears by the sumptuous Burying-places under Ground Spiers Needles and other stately Works erected in antient Times with such variety of Stone as we have already mention'd ¶ THe Air especially about Cairo and further towards the South The Air in Egypt Hot. because so near the Line is when the Sun casts his Beams perpendicularly from Cancer very Hot during which time of violent Heat all the people dwell in places under ground and in Cairo in the midst of every House are Wells containing water which not only cools their Mansions but refreshes themselves They contrive also in their Houses very great Pipes or Funnels which stand right up into the Air from the midst of the House with a broad Mouth like a Bell standing open to the North wherein the cool Air entring is sent down to the lowermost retiring Rooms under Ground For shade also in the Streets every Dwelling hath a broad Penthouse And for refreshment of their scorched Bodies they use bathing for the commodiousness whereof they have curious Bannia's of sweet and clear Water from the River Nile without mixing any Herbs or Medicinal Ingredients The Hot Air is cooled by Nilus and the Anniversary Winds The Heat also is somewhat moderated by the overflowing of Nilus at that Time and the continual blowing of cool Northerly Winds otherwise the Heat there is so vehement that neither Man nor Beast could be able to live In Winter the Air is Hot and Dry sometimes a little cool but generally very Hot and most obnoxious to the Head of all parts of the Body The Air of the Nights is cold which after Sun-rising becomes a little Warm at Noon very Hot but at Night again Cold so that its inequality breeds many Diseases ¶ THe Year may also very well though in a different way from us The Seasons of the Year are with the Egyptians fourfold be divided into four Seasons The first is Spring March or April in which the Weather is temperate They have also every Year two Summers but contingent divided into an unhealthy and intemperate and a healthy and temperate The first Summer The first being the unhealthful continues to the middle of June and the rising of the Nile The second Summer begins from the Nile's rising The second Summer and continues till September and the Decrease The Harvest consists of two other Moneths Harvest but the Brumall Season beginneth on December and continueth to March or April Winter Thus is the Year divided the Reason whereof we will a little search after First Then they placed the Spring as before is said because at that Time the Air is of a moderate and milde Temper and the Trees begin to bud and grow The first Summer causeth many Diseases and the Ground to bring forth The Spring ended the first Summer begins very hurtful both to Man and Beast during the whole time of whose continuance very hot and tedious Winds blow call'd by them Campsien from Campsi a Commander who was overwhelm'd under a great heap of Sand by these Winds and smother'd with his whole Army in the Desarts of Africa Such is the violence of these impetuous Gusts sometimes that it so raises the Sand that for three five seven or nine Days the Air is darkn'd and the Sun cannot be seen for those Atomy Clouds At this time rage many mortal Sicknesses but chiefly Soreness of the Eyes for the hot South-winds as we said How this comes to pass so drive up the scortching Sand that they seem to bring with them shining Flames the which driven through the Air hurts and prejudiceth the Body and in the Eyes breeds prickings and inflamations And that time many mortal Feavers and Phrensies rage which dispatch men in few Hours In fine all Bodies are thereby so Distempered that they abhor Food continually burning with unquenchable Thirst against which the Water of Nile is the only Remedy Strangers all this Season retire to places under Ground where they remain till other cool North-winds arise from the midland-Midland-Sea which afford a present Comfort to their inflamed and afflicted Bodies wonderfully cooling the Air. After this followeth the second Summer not so Hot because the Northerly Winds daily renew fresh and cooling Breezes and the Nile overflows his Banks What Alterations of Air happen are not sudden but come leisurely and therefore it is a healthful and wholesome Time Now the Husbandmen live at Ease because the Ground while covered with the Nile cannot be either Plowed or Tilled passing the Time in Shows Sports and other signs of Joy with Feastings and Mirth Then comes Seed-time and Harvest at the Decrease of the Nile in which are Wheat and other Fruits sown which becomes soon Ripe and are suddenly Reaped This Season is temperate and free from Sicknesses The following Winter-Moneths the Air is colder and consequently more wholesom It Rains seldom in the In-land Parts It Rains seldom in Egypt and about Cairo and what is is rather a Dew or misling than a Shower At Alexandria and Damiata and upon all Places lying near the Sea are many times great Rains but seldom or never is there any Ice Snow or Hail seen because the Air is not cold enough for it This as to the Temperature of the Air. ¶ NOw concerning the Temper and Constitution of the People Several kinds of Egyptians you may observe three sorts of Inhabitants in Egypt viz. Citizens dwelling in Cairo and other Cities wandring Arabians that live in Tents and lastly Ploughmen or Husbandmen which dwell up the Countrey Most of the Citizens are Sanguine but the Bodies of the Ploughmen and Arabians are hot and dry so are many Townsmen but the continual drinking the Nile Water often use of cooling Food or Diet and the immoderate use of Venus mightily lessen and alter the Heat and Drought Besides their continual use of Baths of sweet Water so cools them that many of those dry tan'd Complexions become Sanguine especially Women and Eunuchs They have cold Stomachs and full of Flegm proceeding from the constant using of cooling Diet as also by the over-great Heat of the Air whereby the natural Heat extracted or exhaled the Stomach is left Raw and Cold. The Egyptians are general very Gross and Corpulent The form of their Bodies especially the People of Cairo most of the Men there being so Fat that they have much Greater Thicker and Larger Breasts than Women but the Arabians are Meagre and Slender so are the Husbandmen and not only so but also hairy sweaty and almost scorched and burnt by the Sun They do all follow Venus
immoderately they are by Nature very Wakeful and little inclining to Sleep of a chearful Spirit yet delighting in an Idle and Lazy Life only the Arabians and Farmers take Pains or else they must Starve ¶ THis Countrey is very subject to several and dangerous Diseases Egypt is much subject to Land-Sicknesses partly because of the intemperate Air partly by the immoderate use of Women and partly because the Poor there which are numerous are necessitated to use foul unwholesom Food and muddy and corrupt Water The chief Diseases afflicting them are Blear Eyes Scabs Leprosie and Mortal Phrensies Small Pox pain in the Limbs and Joints Ruptures Stone in the Kidneys and Bladder Consumption Obstructions or Stoppings Weaknesses of the Liver Spleen and Stomach Tertian Agues Consuming Quartanes and all manner of Maladies of the Head It is true other people are subject to the like but not so continually nor grievously and therefore properly may be call'd The Plagues of Egypt In Alexandria in Harvest-time many malignant and mortal Agues reign by drinking the tainted and foul Water which the Townsmen from year to year keep in their Wells under their houses In Winter they are troubled with sore Eyes but the Inhabitants of Cairo much more among whom it reigns so Epidemically that scarce half of them escape the Distemper There also rages that most terrible Egyptian Disease by the Arabians call'd Dem El Muia which in few hours suddenly possesses the Brain like an Apoplexy and bereaving them of sense and understanding in few minutes irremediably kills them Every year once are the Egyptians surprized with this Sickness of which multitudes dye At the same time Children are much afflicted with a malignant kind of Pox bred by the venomous Damps raised from the corrupt Water of Caleg Malignant Childrens Fox in Alexandria which is a Branch or rather a Trench cut from the Nile into Alexandria Every year Whence they arise when the Nile is risen eight or ten Cubits it falls into this Trench and runs from thence through the whole City and at the recess of Nile this Water then in the Caleg remaining without current or motion at length corrupts and first becomes green then black and in the end sends forth a very noisome Stench which corrupting sends forth venomous Vapours whereby the Air is polluted and that Infection bred and therefore all the Children which dwell thereabout for that cause are carried thence to other places Many other Diseases are in Egypt which are bred by the eating Ox and Camels Flesh and rotten Salt Fish taken in Pools and Lakes and mouldy stinking Cheese by them call'd Gibnehalon whereby is ingendered much thick Blood Choler adust Grossness and soft and crude Humours The Cause of the Dropsie The Dropsie here is very frequent and such as have it have Legs which by the abundance of hardness and gross Swelling are blown and puffed up like the Legs of Elephants though indeed they feel no Pain but are only unwieldy to walk One main Cause of these Distempers proceeds from the too frequent Use of Colocasie Beets Bammia and Melochia Herbs breeding thick and tough Flegm Many of the better Sort also have a Weakness in their Joynts and Limbs Why the Egyptians have weak Joynts and feeble Limbs like Childrens Rickets relaxed either by immoderate Venery or the too frequent Use of Sweat-Baths Alpin Medicin Egypt But the meaner Sort get it by wearing the same Clothes in Winter and Summer and going bare-foot and bare-legg'd And are troubled with the Stone The Stone is no stranger among them being bred from the Sediment of the Water of Nilus which as all Water causing Urine comes to the Kidneys but the more Earthy Part remaining like Dregs behind by the extraordinary Heat of the Body becomes dry and in a little Series of time is turned into Stones There are also many of a Melancholy Temper Sad spirited People in Egypt which are generally accounted Holy Men For the vulgar perswade themselves that they live without Sin leading their Lives in great Sanctity the better to mind Sacred Mysteries retiring from the World into desart and barren Places The Mahumetans look upon them as Santons because they seem to contemn Riches and slight the vain Pleasures of the World They live single giving Hospitable Entertainment to all Strangers of what Religion soever They reprove Vice very sharply affirming the World to be nothing but a Vale of Misery and Trouble In a sad and morose Reservation they denounce great Punishments to Man for Sin and so macerate and mortifie their Bodies by a vowed Abstemiousness and Labour that they are little better than the dried Mummies The Pestilence is very frequent in these Parts Egypt is much afflicted with the Pestilence and prevails against them the more because they seek no Remedy for it falsly conceiting that God hath certainly appointed and ordained every ones Death aforehand and the manner of his Dying so that he that must die in the Wars cannot die of the Pestilence and those onely can die of the Pestilence that are aforehand destined of God for it For this cause as we said no Egyptian will go about to avoid the Place nor shun converse with the Infected and the Clothes and other Houshold-stuff of such as dye of that Distemper are instantly sold in the open Market by Out-cry which none are afraid to buy by which mad obstinacy in this their foolish Perswasion the Plague in Cairo in the space of six or seven Moneths sometimes sweeps away above five hundred thousand People This dreadful Malady commonly begins in their first Summer When it commonly begins in Egypt continuing till the cool Northern Winds arise and then it begins to abate That which begins in the first Moneths is the worst of all especially if it come over out of Barbary for then it sometimes almost depopulates whole Cities leaving them destitute of Inhabitants But if it comes later it is so much the milder and ceaseth the sooner But although it rage never so fiercely At the Suns entrance into Cancer the Pestilence ceases in Egypt yet at the Suns entrance into Cancer it wholly ceaseth which by them is accounted no small Blessing for from thence forward as if never any such infectious Disease had been the City and all things in it are from a depth of miserable despair reduced into a secure safe and healthful condition Neither while the Contagion lasted did any other Diseases appear among the People Now the reason of this so sudden Cessation seems to be caused by the even and constant temper of the Air How this comes to pass by the blowing of the Anniversary Northwinds which then begin to rise and oppose the moist Nature of the South-winds call'd as we said Campsien which cooling as well the Air as Mens Bodies taking away the Cause the infectious Heat the Effect ceaseth Very seldom or never doth the Plague begin here
the Water up to their Elbow with all their strength stirring the Water about then leaving the Almonds in it the Water will be clear in the space of three Hours Lastly pouring out the clear Water into other small Vessels they use it either for their Drink or Food Others let this Water stand only and setle till it become clear of it self The Vertues of this Water are very many and great The Vertue of the Water of Nilus for in some it fetches out an inward Infirmity by insensible transpiration others it causes to Urine freely some to go to Seige to none is it hurtful though drunk Day and Night even to excess Moreover it is to hot Bodies as a cooling Julep to allay the heat and burning of the Bowels There also our New Drink call'd Coffee hath no small Estimation Coffee-Drink gotten by long Experience of the Benefits which they suppose they receive by it using upon the matter little or no other Physick or Doctors they eating much Fruits and drinking only the Nile which is it self their grand Physitian The infusion of the Powder of this Berry in that so excellent Water decocted and taken Hot composeth not only the Crudities arising from bad Digestion but suppressing all Fumes so setleth in quiet both Head and Stomach which may be well asserted by those that use it moderately here who after they have taken their Dose two or three Cups in the Morning find themselves more apt to Business or Study It certain and suddenly cures Inebriation and in many allays the fits of the Gout * Namral History Sir Francis Bacon who took it long before in use with us says It comforts the Heart and Brain by Condensation of the Spirits The Arabians call it Caova and the Tree whereon it grows Bon where it grows in such abundance that from thence the whole Eastern and now part of our Western World is furnished yet with them so valued as not to be purchased by any Barter as they say but Gold and Silver The Turks and Moors have also a very wholesom Drink call'd Sorbet A Turkish Drink call'd Sorbet made of Sugar and Lemmon and drank by them with great Delight They use also another kind of Drink made of Plumbs Corants and Water set together in the Sun ¶ MEn in Egypt live longer than in other Places for they say The Egyptians live long 't is usual to find People above an hundred Years old the Reason of which Longevity Physitians much differ about yet in General they assign'd as one chief Cause their spare Life in Eating and Drinking whereas on the contrary Alpinus de Medicina Aegypt all Europeans which drink abundance of Wine and eat much Flesh By what means this is so are for the most part short Liv'd for as the moderate use of Flesh generates good Blood and quickens the natural Heat so the immoderate use incrassates the natural moisture making it become tough and viscous so stopping the activity of Circulation with the Load of gross repletions just as the Flame in a Lamp by the exuberancy of the Oyl extinguisheth therefore the Egyptians living Sparingly and not Distempering themselves with high Fare their Blood being thus attenuated spins out a longer thread of Life to them than our guzling and debaucht Nations ¶ THe Habits of the Men are neat but not gorgeous Mens Habits for in the Summer time they wear Vests of the finest and lightest Cotton but in the Winter of their own Countrey Cloth quilted with Cotton Their Vests are shaped narrow above and wide below with small Sleeves close at the Hand over which Princes Officers of State and other Great Men wear a rich Tunick of Sattin Damask and other costly European-stuff every one according to his State and Dignity They wear great Turbans made of long striped Camelet Tulhandes or Turbants wound or folded up round together The Colour of which denotes of what Religion they are The Colour of the Turbant denote the Religion for the Jews wear one Yellow the Christians Red or Blew and the Mahumetans only a White one but those that boast themselves lineally descended from their Great Prophet wear Green Turbans Their Hose or Stockings are short like the Buskins of the Antients but in a manner all strangers to Shoes for what they use on their Feet are rather Slippers or Sandals having no Upper-leather behind and the Soals according to the Turkish Fashion shod with Iron Ladies and Persons of Honor The Habit of Women are there for the most part cloathed in White with Masks of the same Colour The Countrey-Women have in stead of a Mask a Cotton Cloth before their Face Black or some other Colour at the Chin pointed with two holes only that they may see their Way and where they tread But in many Places their Vizors follow the Turkish Mode being a very thin Cloth made of Horse-Hair before their Faces or else among the better Sort a fine Linnen or Tiffany They go mounted on Choppines which have no Upper-leather but only to fasten them over to the foot Their Head-attires are various according to the divers Customs of the Countrey the Turkish keeping their own Fashion of being close covered but the Egyptians wear a costly Silk Cap half a Foot high and running to a Point like one of our Womens high-crown'd Hats without a Brim on the fore-part of which they fix a Branch or Sprig neatly compos'd of several Gems with various Lustres and a Frontlet of Oriental Pearls with Chains of Gold about their Neck The Egyptian Women wear Smocks and Peticoats lac'd at the bottom like the Gallants of our Time and Golden Bracelets on their Wrists and Garters all of Gold Next their Skin they wear a fine Silk Smock bordered with curious Needle-work and over this a Coat or Gown of a different Length made of changeable colour'd Silk trim'd with Gold Silver and Silk Knots and the Skirt richly embroider'd No People are more dextrous in Swimming as compelled thereto by necescesity for at the overflowing of Nilus they swim from place to place to dispatch their Affairs and to that end are very lightly Clad only with a Coat and Shirt intending to Travel which they tye upon their Heads in form of a Turbant when they swim cross any deep Rivers but if their Transnatation extend to a farther Distance they have bundles of Flaggs or Bull-rushes which as either necessity or conveniency requires they use to Buoy themselves upon both for their Ease and Safety When they ride in Cavalcade through Cities in State or through the Countrey for private Business their Horses are unshod cover'd after the Moorish Fashion with Foot-clothes or Caparisons usually made of Tapistry wrought after the manner of the Moors but the Women mask'd upon Mules Mean People and Strangers use Asses which always stand upon the parting of cross Ways ready to Hire ¶ THe Houses of the plain Countrey
Funeral-Cloaths of Mummies made either of Paper Wood or burnt Brick or the like Matter as is declared in the Description of the Mummies But generally the whole Body of this Learning was cut upon Stone and set up in several Places in Egypt as upon Temple-doors Obelisks or Images of the Gods that they might remain Remarks to all Posterity They make * Mercurius Trismegistus Hermes the first Inventer of these consecrated Figures whom the Arabians called Adris He was a Priest and the greatest Wise-Man in all Egypt and flourished in the time of Abraham under the Government of the first Egyptian King Mizraim This Hieroglyphical Learning was so highly Esteemed by the Egpptians ever since its first Beginning Was in high Esteem that the Priests who only understood it might teach it to none but those of their own Order Moses himself according to the Scriptures was indued with all the Wisdom and Learning of the Egyptians which according to the Exposition of Philo Judaeus chiefly consisted in this Divine Philosophy When it was destroyed which since the Conquest of Egypt by Cambyses is so wholly lost that there is scarce any Remainders to be found ¶ A At present the Native Egyptians speak Arabick or the Morisk Language so do the Coptists only their Church-Service or Liturgies are celebrated in the Coptick with an Arabick Explanation The Jews at Cairo for the most part speak a mixt Language a meer Gally-maufry hasht together of all usual Tongues now call'd Lingua Franca ¶ THe Number of Souldiers in Pay The Soldiery which the Grand Signieur maintains to keep under the Countrey they variously Report formerly they were no more than twelve Thousand but at this day as well Horse as Foot 15100. ten Thousand seven hundred Horsemen Jaques Albert. which they call Mottaferagas Chiauses Arabgis Geoumelli and Tuffegis and four Thousand four hundred Footmen that is Janizaries Topigi and Azapi besides the San-jaks and Cherkes which last watch the Banks of Nilus to prevent the Arabians from cutting off or stopping the Water at the time of the overflowing besides these there are to garrison Castles and Forts two Thousand two hundred as also trained Soldiers raised in the several Cassiffes at the pleasure of the Divan of Cairo and maintained at their own Charge ¶ OUr Purchas says Egypt is guarded by an hundred Thousand Soldiers call'd Timariotts who are bound to serve the Turk in all Places where he pleaseth to use them Villamont accounts twenty Thousand Spahies and Breves and five and twenty or thirty Thousand Janizaries and Natives all bravely appointed in Habit and Arms. The Baron of Beauvan reckons five Thousand Spahies who do nothing but Ride through Cairo two Thousand Mottafaragaes or Mattaferagaes two Thousand Chiaous or Chiaus fifteen Thousand Janizaries all Foot-Soldiers Prince Radzovill relates That there lye in Cairo usually six Thousand Horse and as many Foot to prevent the Robberies of the Arabians and that the Cavalry consists partly of Turks partly of Mammelucks and Circassians but all the Infantry wholly of Janizaries ¶ THe Mottaferagaes are at this day three Thousand three hundred Jaques Albert. having no other Commander but the Bashaw who is of their own choosing the Chiaus three Thousand five hundred commanded in chief by the Aga but secondarily by one chosen out of themselves whom they call Chiaussi Tihaiassi The Seraquegies Gioumelli and Tuffegies are each of them twelve Hundred under their proper Leaders which they call Boullouk the Seraquegies bear Yellow Colours the Geoumelli Red and the Tuffegies Green and White If at any time a Boullouk offend he receives both Tryal and Punishment of the Aga. The Janizaries are above three Thousand with a peculiar Aga who only may punish them but no otherwise than in secret They guard the uppermost side of the Castle of Cairo The Arabgies and Topigies each five or six Hundred all Cannoneers under the Aga of the Janizaries though they have also a distinct Commander their Post is the Gate of the Castle of Cairo on the side of the Way from Romeilla Out of this Soldiery by the Command of the Divan residing at Cairo a certain number is drawn according as the danger of any Place requires but for Defence of the Countrey against the Incursion of the Arabs two Thousand two hundred twenty and three are always in readiness as a flying Army to assist the Soldiers quarter'd in and maintained by the Countrey and always lying in the Field under rich and curious Tents The Cassiff of Sahid or Girgio The Soldiery of every Province hath by the Command of the Divan of Grand Caire an Hundred Mottaferagaes an Hundred Chiauses an Hundred Janizaries and two Hundred Spahies at the publick Charge keeping as many in Pay upon their own Account These continually scout Abroad laying hold of all opportunities to fight with and cut off the Arabians that lurk in the Mountains for Spoyl Manfelut maintains six and twenty Soldiers Mottaferaga's and Spahies and as many Natives in Arms which as the other lye always in the Field Benesuef hath a Hundred and forty Fium a Hundred Spahies and fifty Janizaries Gize hath a Hundred Spahies all which constantly keep the Field to free the Countrey from the Plundring Arabians Baera hath two Hundred Mottaferagaes and Spahies Along the Channel that runs from the Nile to Alexandria the Provincial Governor keeps some Soldiers to hinder the Arabians letting out of the Water In Gaobia are fifty Soldiers to preserve the small Channel call'd Tessos from being cut off by that Wilde Nation Into Menousia the Divan sends a Hundred Spahies and the like into Mansoura whose Provincial Governor is bound to keep the like number at his own Cost and Charges In Callioubieh a Hundred in Minio seventy five together with thirty of the Provincials providing in Cherkeffi five and forty all at the Cost of the Countrey Besides all which Alexandria Rosetta Damiata and Suhez each receive sixty Soldiers ¶ EGypt besides these Military Guards hath several Castles and Fortifications Castles and Forts partly on the Sea-Coast and partly more In-Land There are four Castles in Alexandria one Great call'd Pharaillon and another smaller standing close by it at the Mouth of the New Haven and the two other lye on the other Side of the Old Bridge one Great call'd Rouch and the other smaller a Member as it were of the first Next these four stands another call'd Boukier In Rosetta are two one at Broules the other on the Sea-Point towards Damiata There are two or three also in the Dominion of Cattia by the Side of Gaza And in the Way towards Mecha two small days Journey from Cairo stands the Castle Aseroust through which the Caravans pass also a small Church of the Greeks The next is that of Lacaba Magazines in the Road to Mecha and further about half Way between Cairo and Mecha the Castle of Hazalem Over and above these Castles there are three
Esteem The Falling-sickness in Esteem among them because Mahomet was troubled with this Disease and shamelesly made them believe That then God by his Angel Gabriel reveal'd to him the most secret Mysteries of his Religion The highest Festival is the Nativity of their great Prophet A Festival upon the Birth of Mahomet which they celebrate with all Solemnity the fifth of September in manner following All the School-masters assemble after Dinner with their Scholars in the chiefest Mosque out of which they go in Order every one with a Torch in his Hand and sing along the Streets the Eulogy and famous Acts and Praise of their Prophet Two of these Masters carry upon their shoulders a great Pyramide cover'd over with Flower-Works and a Cross on the top of it follow'd by vocal and instrumental Musick after the Turkish manner all the Corner-Houses in Cross-ways are hang'd with Tapistry and burning Lamps They set also in every House about Mid-night a lighted Torch upon the Table because Mahomet was born at that Hour During the eight Days of this Feast every one may walk the Streets by Night which at other times they dare not on pain of corporal Punishment The Cooks of the Divan to the number of Two hundred each carrying a Napkin or Towel upon his shoulders and a burning Torch in his Hand from the seventh to the eleventh Hour go two and two along the Streets till placing themselves before the doors of the chiefest Councellors they chant a solemn and appointed Hymn in Praise of their Prophet with many Instruments of Musick ¶ THe last Solemnity concerns their Burials or Funerals Their Solemnity for the Dead which they perform in this manner When any Dies the next Friend hireth Women to lament who flocking about the Corps with strange and unusual howling make a noise and scratch themselves till the blood follow their Nails This done How they bury their Dead the Body is inclosed in a Coffin cover'd with a Green Cloth upon which a Turban is set as we use a Garland and so with the Head forward is carried to and laid in the Grave but attended all the way thither with howling Valedictions At the entrance of the Burial-place some Marabouts sing without intermission these words Lahilla Lah Mahometh ressoul allah that is God is God and Mahomet is his Prophet At last it is placed in the Grave in a sitting Posture with a Stone under the Head in stead of a Pillow and the Face towards the South Their Burying-places are very Large and lye round about the Cities for they Interr none in their Mosques but in the plain Field where every one according to his Estate buys a spot of Ground which they Wall in and plant with Flowers The Women every Friday visit these Monuments carrying thither Meat and Fruits which they leave for the Poor and for the Fowls after they have tasted of them believing it to be a work of Charity and a furtherance to the bliss of departed Souls They pray there for their Husbands and other Deceased Friends and comfort them sometimes with these or the like words That they should have Patience in waiting for the Resurrection of their Bodies And this shall suffice to have spoken of the Mahumetans there The Jews in Barbary differ in nothing from the Jews in Asia and Europe Great number of Jews Barbary being so numerous that only in the Cities of Morocco Algier and Tunis and a part of the Kingdom of Fez there are a Hundred thousand Families The Christians are few and not Masters of many places in Barbary those that be are under the Command of the King of Spain as Arache Oran Mamaure and Tangier now in the possession of the King of England Gramay saith that in Morocco Fez also in Lybia are some Remainders of Antient Christians who Celebrate the Liturgy of the Mozarabes or Moxarabes Translated out of the Latine into the Greek Tongue and about an Hundred and seventy Greek Families who give peculiar Honor to St. Stephen There are besides these many other of several Nations who taken at Sea by the Pyrates are brought to Land and sold for Slaves whence they cannot be redeem'd without great Ransoms except by chance any make an Escape which is seldom or rowing in the Galleys be retaken by the Christians These generally lead a miserable Life undergoing the extremity of Servitude only some one by good Fortune that lights upon a milde Patron is more gently handled In Algier the Slavery is most bitter but in the Kindoms of Tripolis Tunis and Fez more tollerable Some Slaves meet with Patrons dwelling up in the Countrey The labour of the Slaves in Barlary which carry them thither to bear all sorts of Burdens to Market of which if they render not a good account they are sure to be well beaten Others go Naked as in Billedulgerid tending Cattel or like Horses drawing the Plough without any other reward for their toyl than harsh Language and merciless Blows being hardly afforded a little Water and Meal for Food Others are thrust into the Galleys to row where their best fare is Water and hard Bisket and the reward of their Pains drubs with a Bulls pizzle nor is their treatment better when they come ashore being lockt to a heavy Chain and at night thrust into Dungeons by them call'd Masmora where they lye upon the bare ground Such as chance to have City Patrons The labour of the Slaves in the Cities their chiefest labour is to carry Water from place to place bear away the dust of their Houses convey their Merchandises to Ware-Houses work in the Mill like Horses knead their Dough bake their Bread and do all other drudgery yet for all receive neither good word or deed or freedom from their Fetters Many of these wretched Creatures Why many Christian Slaves make desection partly out of desperation and impatience of their misery partly out of a desire of liberty and hopes to attain the honour of a Janizary renounce their Religion and turn Turks Nay there are many rich Women who often give half their Goods to their Slaves when they embrace Mahumetanism and some even of the best Quality among them being Widows are so zealous that they marry their Slaves out of design only to draw them to be Mahumetans it being among the Turks accounted a most meritorious work to make Proselytes to their Prophet The several Punishments for Malefactors in use by them are these Those that can be prov'd after Circumcision to revolt Their Punishments are stript quite naked then anointed with Tallow and with a Chain about his Body brought to the place of Execution where they are burnt They who are convicted of any Conspiracy or Treason have a sharp Spit thrust up the Fundament others bound Hand and Foot and cast from a high Wall or Tower upon an Iron Hook whereon sometimes they stick fast by the Belly sometimes by the Head or
uneven craggy and full of Mountains which in some places extend twenty or thirty Miles between which and the Great Atlas are not onely pleasant but luxuriant Valleys intervein'd with Brooks and Rivulets descending from those great Hills and shaded on each side with delightful Groves reaching as far as Cairavan But that part call'd Errif near the Little Atlas is subject to Cold more than Heat so that it produces little Wheat but great plenty of Barley a very good Commodity in those parts The Fruits growing in this Countrey are very delicious the Raisins Figs Cherries Plumbs Peaches Quinces and Apricocks having a more brisk and quick Gust and the Pomegranates Oranges Citrons are more pleasing and sweet than the same in other Countreys Their Olive-Trees in Morocco Fez and Algier are very thick bushy and high but in Tunis neither bigger nor better than in Europe Here grows also abundance of Sugar-Canes and Cotton Trees Among others here grows upon the Coast of the Midland-Sea a shrubby Plant call'd in Arabick Achaovan Abiat that is to say White St. Johns Wort or White Mugwort It ha's many branches two or three Cubits high bearing an Ash-colour'd Wool with broad and deep indented Leaves black on the inside and on the outside white but in thickness and growth like the Leaves of our Mugwort the Blossoms are yellow like Grunsill and vanish at last disperst into a Powder This Plant is cherish'd here most for Ornament of several Gardens and by a modern Herbalist is call'd Cineraria that is Ash-plant and Jacobea Marina that is Sea-Saint-James-wort because it grows upon the Sea-shore and agrees with the common Jacobea or Saint-James-wort The Decoction of it taken is good against the Stone in the Kidneys or Bladder and all inward oppilations Here are numerous Herds both of great and small Cattel and in the Woody and more Mountainous Parts incredible numbers of Wilde Goats Lyons and Tygers and other Savage Monsters as also Fowl and Venomous Serpents Barbary hath in some parts Gold Mines of Metal Silver and other Mines whereof we will be more particular when we come to the distinct Territories Having thus briefly run over Barbary in general we will now descend to every Kingdom and Territory together with the most remarkable Singularities in each of them beginning first with MOROCCO MOROCCO THe Kingdom of Morocco Cluverius together with that of Fez contains the whole Countrey known to the Antients by the Name of Mauritania Tingitana so call'd from its chief City Tangier whose Inhabitants were call'd by the Greeks Maurusij by the Latines Mauri that is Moors according to their Colour which was either Olivaster or black It is bounded on the West and by North by the Great Sea Its Borders and the Bay De las Yegucas or Jumens extending along the Sea-Coast from the City Messe where the River Sus falls into the Ocean Azamor at the Mouth of the River Umarabie or Ommirabih from whence the Great Atlas makes its Southern Border and Mount Dedes divides it from the Kingdom of Fez on the North. ¶ DIego de Torres The Length according to the common Account of the Natives who reckon Distances of Places by Days Journeys says it is in Length seven Days Journey And the Spaniards have reduced every Days Journey to ten Spanish Miles which Length he takes from the said River Ommirabih to the Cape or Point Ager that parts Morocco from Tarudant which Torres shuts out of Morocco although it be a Member of Sus one of its Provinces In Breadth from Mazagan to Dara The Breadth That is 180 Miles English it hath sixty Miles and on the Sea-Coast from East to West accounting from the River Azamor to the Cape Arguer That is 150 Miles English is Fifty in which Tract lie many Places and Havens of note as Azamor Mazagan and Safy The Kingdom of Morocco contains in it seven Provinces viz. Morocco Hea Sus Guzula Ducala Escure or Hascora and Tedles ¶ MAny good Rivers either have their Spring-Heads The River Sus. or pass through this County The first of which towards the West is call'd Sus or Sous by the Inhabitants but by Geographers supposed to be the River Una mentioned by Ptolomy Now it gives Name to this Region the last and most Southerly of the whole it rises in the Great Atlas or rather that part of it named Mount Ilda adjoyning to Demenser from thence running directly down to the South it waters the Low-Grounds of Sus opposite to Tagavost where altering the course it passes to the West through the three small Cities of Messe and at length at Guertessen finishes its course into the Sea Tenzift or Tensist the second River of note derives its Head from another part of Atlas by the City Animmey in the Province of Morocco properly so call'd running North all along till passing through a Quarter of Ducala it falls into the Great Atlantick Some hold this to be the Phuth of Ptolomy whose mouth Marmol says was stil'd Asama and whose Waters were increased by the Rivers Eciffelmel or Sifelmel Niffis or Hued Nefusa and Agmet FEZZAE ET MAROCCHI REGNA AFRICAE CELEBERRIMA Eciffelmel says Marmol springs from Mount Sicsiva Eciffelmel but Sanut and others from the great Hill Hantete above Morocco whence it glides through a Level till it falls into the Tenzift aforementioned Niftis or Hued Nefusa springs from the same Hantete Niftis soon mixing its Water with that of Tenzift Agmet whose Waters are always clear Agmer takes it beginning source from a Lake in Mount Agmet close by a City of the same Name whence flowing to Morocco it sinks under Ground but afterwards re-appears following its course till united with Tenzift Asifnual springs out of the Sicsiva one of the Arms of Great Atlas Asifnual above Delgumuha whence it streams with great force and makes a Boundary between the Territory of Hea and its Neighbour falling at last into the River Tenzift The other Rivers both call'd Teccuhin which signifies Windows Teccuhin shoot forth out of the Mountain Gugidime a part of the Great Atlas out of two Fountains lying about a Mile one from the other then passing a flat Countrey crosses through the Territory of Hascora then ending in the River Niger call'd by the Inhabitants Hued la Abid Heud la Abid the Niger takes its Original a Mile from the City Bzo Hued la Abid in Mount Animmey where the Dominion of Hascora borders with Tedle it runs through a deep Vale between barren Mountains Northward still receiving Brooks and Rivulets as an augmentation of his streams There is also the small River Habid rising according to Sanutus Habid out of the Mountain Tevesson conterminates the Region of Hascora and that of Ducala at length also mingling with the Tenzift The Great River call'd by Marmol Umarabea by others Ommirabih Vmarabea and by Sanut Ommirabili derives his source from Mount Magran where Tedle borders
on the Kingdom of Fez then gliding through the Plain of Adaksuni and afterward shut up as it were in a narrow Valley where a fair Bridge was erected over it by Abul Hascen the Fourth King of the Marin Family From thence Southward overspreads the Levels between Dukala and Temesne till at length by Azamor after it hath received the Waters of the River Hued la Abid and Derna it pours it self into the Ocean This River neither Spring nor Winter can be forded therefore the neighbouring Inhabitants ferry over both Passengers and Merchandise upon a Float made of Goat-skins blown up like a Bladder with Hurdles fasten'd to them upon which they take in their Fare and other Lading This River abounds so much with Shads that not only the Inhabitants of Azamor and Marocko are serv'd but also Andalusia and Portugal are suppli'd with them as a forreign Dainty Darna runs out of Mount Magran by the Cities Efza and Tefza from Tedle Darna between the Mountains full North till it meets with Ommirabilis streams The Brook Sicsiva call'd by some Sessua and Sefsava Sicsiva runs betwixt the Mountains of Nefise and Semede and through the City Elgumuha then mingling with the Asifnaal Tefethne takes its beginning out of the Mountain Gabelelhadi Tefethne passing through the Plains of Hea watering Heusugaghen Tesedgest and Kuleihata then branching into several Arms glides into the Ocean over against Cape Magador The River of Sanut call'd in Spanish Rio dos Savens and in Portugues Rio dos Savens De los Savalos in English Shad-Brook it shoots out of the Mountain Gabelelhadi so descending through the Campaign of Hea to Amama then delivering up his fresh Water to the briny Ocean Tekuleth Tekuleth supposed to be the River by Ptolomy call'd Diur whose Margents are crown'd with the Famous City Tekuleth and not far thence looseth it self and name between Goz and Amama in the Atlantick Lastly And the Fifteenth River which waters this Kingdom of Morocco is Imiffen Imiffen proceeding out of the Mountain Sicsiva then gliding Southward dispatches a short Progress falling into the Ocean at Cape Non. The Air of this Countrey The Air of it is commonly much warmer than that of Europe but the Air on the Mountains is commonly cold especially on the highest which are covered with Snow and so probably are more unfruitful The Plains of Morocco and Fez The fruitfulness of Morocco thus water'd with abundance of Rivers and Brooks are exceeding fruitful This Kingdom abounds with all things necessary for humane sustenance particularly good Oyl d'Olive and other useful Oyls The variety of their Vines are numerous of whose grapes they eat many fresh gathered many they dry and some they press which yield both pleasant brisk and full-bodied Wines Here also is exceeding plenty of Dates Figs Peaches Nuts Pine-Apples Sugar Flax Hemp Woad and Honey Mines of Gold Gold Mines Silver and Copper are frequent so also are great Stone-Quarries but none of them all are at any time open'd or sunk without special Order of the Xerif Upon the Plains and Mountains feed large Oxen Beasts Horses Mules wilde Goats Roe-Deer Asses Sheep also frequented by Lions wilde Swine Wolves and many other Beasts of prey as shall appear in the Description of the particular Territories There is no place in Barbary so well stored with Camels as Morocco Camels of which the Inhabitants make great use in carrying Burdens and Merchandise out of the in most places to the Sea-coast Leo Afric A sign of Apprehension in Camels to their no small advantage These Creatures seem to have a notable apprehension for when between Ethiopia and Barbary they are forced to go a days Journy more than the common Stages Leo Afric their Masters cannot drive them forward with blows but are necessitated to sing and whistle before them which supererogated Reward seems to them a sufficient bounty to draw and entice them to the performance of their over-service Experience confirms that the African Camels far exceed the Asian in strength being able to travel fifty days with their Burdens on Camels travelling fifty days together never unloaden without any Fodder or Meat Nature in them supporting it self by a Consumption as it were of the parts for first the flesh of their Bunches fall away and consume afterwards their Bellies and lastly of their Hipps and Buttocks whereby they become so feeble that they can scarce bear a hundred weight Concerning their Form Nature and other Properties we have mentioned at large in our general Description of Africa Here likewise also in Ducala and Tremisen Guabox or Wilde Oxen. breed a kind of wilde Oxen by the Inhabitants call'd Guahox and by the Spaniards Vacas Bravas that is Mad Bulls they run as swift as a Hart and are smaller than an Ox with a dark brown Tail black and sharp Horns the Flesh sweet with a Skin fit to tan for Shoo-leather They generally range through the Woods in great Herds In the Rivers are found great pieces of Amber abounding also with Shads Pikes Eels and other variety of Fish ¶ THe People of Morocco are well set and strong of Body The Constitution of the Moroccaians as most of the Inhabitants of Barbary are of a subtil and piercing spirit abounding with Choler Adust which commonly denotes acuteness of wit Some of them follow Merchandizing others Husbandry a third sort Wars Diego Torres c. 88. a fourth Arts and Sciences but all in general have a peculiar Inclination to Judiciary Astrology as may be supposed from the opportunities of their Serene and long Nights Their Women constantly keep within doors using Spinning working Tapistry or doing other things and have black and white Slaves of both Sexes to serve them on all occasions For want of Knives they break their Bread in pieces with their Hands and eat their Meat on Matts spread on the Ground as we said before They have variety of Dishes as Beef Mutton Fowl and Venison Their Food but their most usual is Couscous made of Meal Rice and other Ingredients mixt with water and made up in Balls then put into an Earthen Vessel full of little holes set upon the Hearth the heat whereof Bakes it enough This they eat in great pieces being very pleasant in Taste and of a wonderful pinguefying Nature Feasting is here very frequent especially in the Houses of Great Persons where for one Entertainment sometimes twenty or five and twenty Sheep all of a large size than ours are drest Their Drink commonly is a Liquor made of Raisins Their Drink steep'd in Sugar and Water or else * Like our Metheglin compounded of Water and Honey But the Inhabitants in and about Mount Atlas drink commonly boyl'd Wine whereas others will drink nothing but Goats and Camels Milk The Citizens of Morocco and other great Towns wear Shirts The Habit of the Men. long Breeches and Coats reaching to the Knees
Asgar Elhabat Erif Garet and Cuz or Chaus or Sau. The Rivers which run through or rising there water this Kingdom The Rivers and after fall either into the Ocean or Midland-Sea are the Burregreg or Burregrag Subu Fez Bath Likus Homar Guir Gomer Cherzer Melulo Melukan and Muluye The River Burregreg or Burregrag formerly call'd Sala taketh the Original in the greater Atlas from whence passing through many Woods and Valleys at last dischargeth it self into the Sea between the Cities of the old and new Salle The River Subu by Ptolomy call'd Suber one of the greatest in Barbary Subu springs from Mount Ciligo or Selego a Branch of Atlas in the Dominion of Cuz or Chaus from whence it descends with so strong and swift a Current that a Stone of a hundred weight cast into it is presently thrown out again Not far from its Head is a stately Bridge made over it After a long Course and various Meandrings it runs for two miles along by Fez enriching that City and Countrey as also Asgar with its Waters So running on till it falls into the Sea by Morocco Many lesser Streams and Brooks and particularly Guarga Sador Yuavan and Halvan as also the River Fez contribute their Streams to the augmentation of this River The River Fez runs through the City Fez the Neighbours give it an Arabick Name signifying The Pearly River known to Pliny by the title Fut as to Ptolomy by that of Phuth or Thuth The Bath rises out of Atlas and gliding through Asgar receives Incremental Helps of Gurgivora and Bunzar joyning at last with Subu Lucus heretofore call'd Licos derives from Mount Gomere running from the West through the Plains of Habat and Asgar so looking at Naravigia and Basra about two miles from the Sea makes the Island Gezire then washing the Walls of Alkasar Elquikie it pours into the Ocean by L'aracch a City of Asgar making there an excellent Haven The Homar Homar so call'd from a City of the same Name by which it flows begins in the Mountain of Habat and runs into the Ocean by Taximuxi The Guir Guir by Ptolomy call'd Dyos a small Rivulet comes out of the Mountain of Temesne and loses it self in the Ocean near Almansor The Gomer Gomer springing a Mount of that Name falls into the Midland-Sea by a place call'd also Gomer The River Cherzar descends out of Errif Cherzar and enters the Sea a little way distant from Cherzar Nokar Nokar by Ptolomy call'd Mokath and by Peter Daviyte Milukar takes its Rise out of Mount Elchaus so running towards the North and dividing Errif from Gared falls into the Mediterranean Melulo Melulo a great River descended from Atlas between Sezar and Dubudu from whence visiting the barren Desarts of Tesreft and Tafrata empties it self into the Mulukan taking Head from Atlas six or seven miles from Garcylain a City of Chaus so watering the Desarts here as also Angued and Garet falls into the Mediterranean by the City Cacasa having first received the Waters of Melulo and some others Lastly Muluye The Muluye from Atlas runs from West to East till disemboguing into the midland-Midland-Sea by the City Ona it makes a handsome Haven by Ptolomy call'd Malva FEZ THe Province of Fez hath for Boundaries in the West The Territory of Fez Burrogreg or Burragrag as it comes from Temesen and stretcheth Eastward to the River Imnavan on the North Subu and part of the Sea between Salle and Mamorbe on the South the Mountains of Atlas Its Length from East to West about seventeen Miles The most Antient City of this Countrey is Sale Sale by Ptolomy Sala and by some Geographers Sella on the Northerly Shore of the Sea where the River Buragrag Beregreg Sala or Kumer flow into it Southerly and toward the South opposite to Rabat or Rabald which also is stil'd Salle so making the Old and New Sale Nor do the Cities onely differ in Name but the Inhabitants also those of Old Salle being call'd Slousi those of New or Rabald Rabbati being for the most part Andaluzians formerly driven with the Moors out of Spain Both these Cities are strongly Wall'd and Fortifi'd The Old in a Quadrangular Form with four Gates one of which towards the North is call'd Sidimusa Ducala from a Saint whose Sepulchre stands about an half hours Journey from thence and on the same side a less Gate by a Redoubt On the Land-side towards the East are two Gates one opening to the Burying-place of the Jews and the way leading to Mikanez the other a Percullis'd Gate like a square Watch-Tower SALEE The Arabians keep a daily Market in the Old City bringing thither Butter Wheat Barley Oyl Cows Sheep and other necessary Provisions In this Market under the Ground lies the Masmora or Common Prison for the Slaves receiving all its Light with divers inconveniences from Iron Grates lying even with the earth This was heretofore a large place of Receipt as appears by the Ruines of the Walls and Buildings but at present both in Buildings and Beauty falls short of New Sale Rabad or Rabald now New Sale almost also Four-square New Sale stands in a Valley between two high Precipices those on the Land-side much higher and uneasier to ascend than those on the Sea-shore A double Wall guards the Land-side the one old the other new between which they reserve a proportion of Land half as big as the Town wherein they Sow yearly several Grains The outer or new Wall defending the Entrance between the aforemention'd great Hills boasts an extraordinary Thickness and the Heighth of thirty Foot or thereabouts but towards the Sea lies in a manner open Three Gates on the Land-side give entrance into it one on the East The Gates and two on the South viz. The Gate of Morocco and the Gate of Temsina Close by the River upon a rising Ground standeth Asan Tower Asan a Four-square Tower so call'd adjacent to which is a Church built without a Roof above and without are Arches about fourteen hundred Foot long and three hundred broad with a square Steeple of Stone two hundred Foot in Compass the Ascent to whose Top is so easie and broad that sometimes attempting they scale the Top with Waggons and Horses The South Point of the Steeple being towards the Church stands with a gaping Rent receiv'd by a dreadful Thunderbolt Through the Church runs a Brook about thirty Foot deep and a hundred broad made in a Channel or Trough of Stone guessed to be intended as a Bathing-place for the Moors Here also a strong Castle call'd Alkassave Castle Alkassave seems proudly to swell into the bigness of a little City encompassed with thick Walls and a deep dry Trench Formerly it inclosed two hundred Houses which at present are most of them faln or falling onely one Tower remains whose Top is adorned with Mahumetan's Crescents This Castle was heretofore as a Seraglio for the King
of Morocco's Concubines to the number of eight hundred under the Guard of Eunuchs but now the Residence and Seat of the Governours Without the City lie several Sconces and Redoubts made of Loam and cast up when the Castle was Besieg'd in the Year Sixteen hundred and sixty Within these Cities are several Mosques with inclosed Yards round about and without divers Mesquites The Houses especially in Old Sale are very small and slightly built Their Houses though here and there some are richly set out with Carv'd Work and Marble Pillars Generally they are but one Story high without any Windows to the Street or other opening than the Door all their Light descends from a Loover in the midst about which the Chambers are placed the whole Edifice flat-rooft for conveniency of Walking Morning and Evening for the benefit of the cool refreshing Air. The Haven is very spacious The Haven but shallow having at low Tyde not above a Foot or a Foot and a half Water though at full Sea eleven or twelve Before the Haven lyeth a Barr passable at High Water with loaden Barks and Ships either out or in whereas when the Tyde is out they must remain at the Rivers mouth and unload their Goods into small Boats out of which Landed they carry them through the Gate Sidimusa Ducala upon Asses and Camels into the City This shallowness of the Haven compels the Corsaires or Pyrates of this Place to use light Vessels that draw little Water which proves better for the Chace and more advantageous in their Pyracies and also in escaping Ships of greater Burden whereas they of Algiers Tunis and Tripolis from the convenience of their Haven put to Sea in greater Vessels The Revenue consists in Tributes and Customs of Exported and Imported Merchandise The Revenue all which pays ten in the Hundred The Countrey People under its Jurisdiction pay the tenth of all their Land-Fruits for a Tribute And the Pyrates by their Robberies against the Christians bring no small Advantage These Cities are now Govern'd by an Alcaide The Government who with his chosen Councel manage all Affairs either Martial or Civil In the Election of a new Governour or Deputy they proceed with no regularity the Commons or Plebeians sometimes setting up one from among themselves or if it were possible below themselves as they did some few Years since when without the consent of the King or Nobles running together upon the Governours death without any the least appearance of Reason they set up in this mad fit an Ass-driver and by their own Authority impowered him but he soon after his Advancement using the same severity rough handling and menaces to his new Subjects as towards his old Slave the Ass they no longer pleased with his so rigorous Government kickt him out of the Saddle and left him to conduct by those stern Rules his old Servant Other great Alterations often happen in the chusing of Governours insomuch that sometimes it hath been known that there have been three new Governours in a Moneth so often turned out either out of the Peoples hatred to them or for their own Misgovernment and yet their whole Jurisdiction reaches no farther than over a few little Cities and some wandring Advars that is Arabs This City hath from the first Foundation been subject to Commotions and Alterations but more especially since the coming of the Andaluzian Moors that were driven out of Spain as will presently appear During the continuance of the Moors in Spain which was from the Year Seven hundred and twelve for then they made their Conquests for Six or seven hundred Years they kept possession all which time the Kings of Spain made it their Master-piece to drive them out especially Ferdinando the Fifteenth for he taking into serious Consideration the great mischief by them done to the Christians and the continual Wars wherewith they infested them in the Year Fourteen hundred ninety two set fiercely upon them who seeing themselves in a straight and even brought under the power and obedience of Ferdinando seem'd to embrace Christianity though scarce in outward appearance they were such however it gain'd them a breathing while and gave them opportunities of endeavour at least to distract that State so that in the Year Sixteen hundred and ten Philip the Third King of Spain by an Edict published the Sixteenth of January banisht them out of his Kingdom The Andaluzian Moors driven out of Spain and for fear of incurring the penalties thereof above a Million of Men Women and Children of all Sexes departed within the time limited the greatest part of whom taking Ship passed into Barbary But others spread themselves into the East about Constantinople some came into France with the consent of the King who allotted them a place to dwell in conditionally they observ'd the Roman Catholick Religion wherein by performance of their Articles they so fixed themselves that at this Day some Families of them are to be found in Provence and Languedoc Such of them as pitched at Salee were admitted with freedom by the King of Fez and Morocco believing they might be useful to instruct his People in many Trades and Handicrafts Here a while they lived Peaceably yielding equal Obedience with the other Subjects but they soon started aside and with the Money which in great quantities they brought from Spain bought Arms and some Ships wherewith they apply'd themselves to Roving and Pyracy at Sea pretending at first to take from none but the Spaniards in revenge of their inflicted Banishment though indeed and in truth their malice raged upon all the Christians 'T is true at the beginning they play'd fast and loose under pretence of Trading and Merchandise setting up Spanish Flags and Colours in their Masts and Sterns and acting all in the name of Spaniards The Andaluzjans beginning to take from the Christians as they were by Birth and Language by which they did great Robberies but at last this Trick growing stale they pull'd their Vizards off and declared themselves openly Pyrates and Enemies to all Christians Whatsoever Prizes they took they pay'd to the King of Morocco as a Tribute seven or ten in the Hundred as well of Prisoners as of Merchandise Thus for a time they continued their Subjection to the King of Morocco but still waiting an opportunity to throw off the yoak and indeed they wanted not a specious pretence for under the colour of furnishing their Ships they got into their hands the best Arms in Salee of which possessed and instigated by the natural Ambition of the Countrey they were bred in they brought to pass those Designs they had been so long secretly contriving For first they made themselves Masters of the Alkassave They rise up against the King of Morocco or Castle of Salee and by that means of the City which done they disarm'd the Moors banish'd the Natives and expell'd all the King of Morocco's Officers and for their Assistance
hundred and fourteen set forth a Fleet to scour the Seas and also chase away the Pyrates that sculking sheltered in those Parts and in the same Spot raised a new Fortress which with the assistance of the Citadel Larache kept all the neighboring Coast and Countrey in awe and also improved the Haven for safer riding of Shipping Mequinez Mequinez and by some call'd Mecknesse and Mechnase and by the English Mikernez seventy Spanish Miles from Salee twenty from Mahmore twelve from Fez and six from the Great Atlas close by a River it is an old City by Ptolomy as Marmol says Leo Afric call'd Silde formerly furnish'd with Six thousand Houses and very strong Walls fair Churches Three Colledges twelve great Bannia's large and spacious Streets and a commodious Stream Tifelfelt Tefelfelt or Tefelfelt a small City Ptolomy's Tamusige in a Valley four Miles distant from Mahmore and three from the Ocean now nothing but Ruines and a Receptacle for wilde Arabs and the like Robbers Gemaa el Hamem Gemaa el Hamem or Gemei Elchmen or Elchmel is an old City on a Plain four Miles from Mequinez Southward East from Fez and three from Mount Atlas but much harm'd by the late Wars insomuch that the Churches and Houses stand all bare the Roofs lying on the Floors which confusion makes it rather a Den of Thieves than a City being nothing else but lurking holes for those inhumane Purchasers Hamis Metagare or Kamis Metgare Hamis Metagare close by the way that goeth from Morocco to Fez between the City Gemaa el Hamem and Fez four Miles from either of them lay formerly waste and uninhabited but afterwards by the Moors banisht out of Granada Peopled and brought to its pristine State and Condition Beni Becil or Beni Basil another City lately wasted by the Wars Beni Becil but now Repaired situate between Fez and Mequinez on the Banks of the small River call'd Heud Nye which with the Fountain Ain Zork half a Mile above the aforesaid City takes it Original out of the same Place Makarmede by Marmol taken to be the Erpis of Ptolomy Makarmede lyeth six Miles from Fez Eastward and is wasted by the same Civil Wars Habad or Rabat by some call'd Hubbed is a Castle Habad environ'd with strong Walls built by Mahumetan Priests opposite to Sale so standing that from thence they have a large Prospect of all the adjacent Countrey The Opinion is that this Town or Citadel formerly was large and very Potent but now in a low and miserable condition Inhabited by Moors and wilde Arabs that only live from hand to mouth by Forrage and Plunder having no Commerce pretending Vassalage to the Kings of Morocco Zavie or Zaquie held to be Ptolomy's Volusse built by Joseph the Second Zavie a King of the Marine Family lyeth four Miles from Fez almost wholly Ruin'd the chief remaining part being now converted into an Hospital Halvan or according to some Chanban a Wall'd Village Halvan lying two Miles Eastward from Fez at the River Sebu or Subu having without the Walls a Hot Bath with very fair Inns. But the most Eminent City of all is Fez call'd by the Mahumetans The City Fez. Western-Court and by some held to be Silde by others the Volubilis of Ptolomy This City was first founded Anno Eight hundred and one by one Idris the natural Son of Idris by his Handmaid he being a dispossessed Arabian Patriarch The Original of the Name Fez is by some brought from the Arabian word Fez signifying Gold because at the first breaking of the Ground to lay the Foundation there was Golden Oar found but others will have it from the River Fez which Waters the City It stands remoted from the Sea a hundred Miles The Form of it with rough and almost inaccessible ways to it The Form is a Quadrangular Oblong hedg'd in on every side with Suburbs all encompast with high and stately Walls wrought artificially with Brick and Free-Stone fortifi'd round about with Towers but few Redoubts according to the Modern but onely Flanker'd at the Gates which are in all eighty six some of them Water-Gates a Stream running through them So near surrounded with Hills that there remains no more Level but what the City stands upon It is divided into twelve Wards or Precincts containing sixty two spacious Markets set with Artificers and Tradesmens Shops round about above two hundred Eminent Streets together with a great number of cross and by-Lanes all which are adorn'd on both sides with large and stately Edifices besides seven hundred Mosques a great number of Colledges Hospitals Mills and common Bannia's This as to the general we shall now make a more particular Inquisition The River Fez which Paulus Jovius calls Rhasalme passes through the City in two Branches one runs Southward towards New Fez and the other West each of these again subdividing into many other clear running Channels through the Streets serving not onely each private House but Churches Inns Hospitals and all other publick Places to their great Conveniences Round about the Mosques are a hundred and fifty Common-Houses of Easement built Four-square and divided into Single-Stool-Rooms each furished with a Cock and a Marble Cistern which scowreth and keeps all neat and clean as if these Places were intended for some sweeter Employment Here also are two hundred and fifty Bridges Like London-Bridge before the Fire many of which are built on both sides that they are not onely Thorow-fares but of all Trades there There are eighty six publick Springs or Wells which afford the Citizens abundance of Water besides six hundred other in Palaces Hospitals and great Buildings The Houses are artificially built of Bricks The Houses and Stones their Fronts Carved out with all sorts of Imagery the Rooms and Galleries of Brick and Tile and pourtray'd with Flowers and variety of Colours and for the greater lustre they shine with a rare Varnish The Cielings and Beams of the Rooms are commonly Gilt Carv'd and Painted with delightful Colours the Roofs are flat and artificially laid with Pavements which in Summer are cool Reposes Here their Houses are two or three Stories high with Galleries the middle of the House lying always open with Rooms on each side having high and broad Doors furnish'd to the whole Length with a great Press or Chest of Drawers in which they lay up their Habits or what ever else they have a great esteem for The Galleries rest upon Pilasters made either of Brick or Marble painted and varnished over after the manner of a Piazza or Terrast-Walk Many Houses have Stone Cisterns ten or twelve Cubits long six or seven broad and six or seven Foot deep handsomely painted and varnished over under which stands a Marble Trough receiving the redundant Water of the Cistern They are kept pure and clean though never kept cover'd but in Summer when Men Women and Children bathe in it The Houses have also
commonly peculiar Turrets something elevated from the rest in which when they go abroad they secure their Wives who to pass the time with more content from thence have a full Survey of the whole City Of the seven hundred Mosques there The Churches above half a hundred are very spacious and of great Reception and stately built on Marble Pillars mingled with Stone Fountains on the Tops They are built after the manner of our Churches in Europe vaulted with Wooden Arches but the Floors are cover'd with matted Rush so close and neatly joyn'd together that the Seams can hardly be seen nor any dust come through And the Walls also in the same manner matted above six foot high The most Eminent Mosque in this City The chief Church is call'd Karuven which Gramay says is half a Mile in Compass with thirty Porticoes every one of an extraordinary Heighth and Breadth with a Roof of an hundred and fifty Cubits long and eighty Cubits broad The Tower or Steeple of it whence they daily cry aloud and set up certain Flags to give notice to call the people to the Sala or their Divine Service is exceeding high and being built not Square but Quadrangular Oblongo stands supported in Breadth with twenty and in Length with thirty Marble Pillars under which are always above four hundred Vessels of Water to wash in before Prayers Round about stand several Cloisters each of forty Cubits in Length and thirty in Breadth wherein all sorts of Church Utensils as Oyl Lamps and Mats are kept There are in that Church above nine hundred Arches with Marble Pillars at each of which hangs a lighted Lamp About a Mile from hence lieth New-Fez a glorious Structure New-Fez built by one Jacob son of the First Abdullach of the Marine Family in a rich and delightful Plain one Arm of the River on the Northside runs into the City and the other makes its Entry on the Southside taking a view of the Castle and the Colledge of King Abuhinam who nam'd it The White City but the common People New-Fez Founded at the first onely to be the nearer to the King of Telesin who at the beginning of his Reign had been his great Enemy He divided it into three parts the first allotted to be the Kings Palace It was divided into three Parts and a Residence for the Children and Brothers of the King wherein were contained many Gardens stately Mosques and Chambers for Accounts and Receipts of the Revenue Round about were Mansions for Artificers in the midst Dwellings for Receivers Treasurers Labourers Notaries Accomptants and Secretaries Near the Treasury-Chamber was the Goldsmiths Row and other Conveniences for the Assay-Master and Master of the Mint The second Part he set out for a Palace for his Courtiers Officers and chief Men contain'd within a Line of Fifteen hundred Paces from East to West and adjoyning to a Market set round about with Shops of Merchants and Artificers The third Part was at first the Quarters of the Kings Life-Guard but now is for the most part Inhabited by Jews and Goldsmiths This New City hath no fewer Mosques Baths and Colledges than the Old Here is an ingenious Water-Work the Invention of a Spaniard having many great Wheeles each of which turn but once round in four and twenty Hours and convey Water out of the River into Cisterns from whence again through Leaden-Pipes the Palaces Gardens Mosques Baths and Colledges are all plentifully served This City was brought to full Perfection in an Hundred and forty Years being environ'd with strong Walls and accommodated with Conveniences and Ornaments fit for a City except the fore-mentioned Water-Work which it had not of divers Years after being only contented with Water brought thither from a Spring ten Miles distant through Pipes by the contrivance of a Genoese ¶ THe Mountains of this Province are Zalagh Zarhon Tagat and Gereygure Zalagh somewhat more than half a Mile distant from Fez Northward The Mountains of Fez. beginneth on the East-side of the River Subu and extending four Miles Westward on which is scituate Lampte a fair Town supposed by Marmol to be the Bobrise of Ptolomy Zarhou call'd by the Inhabitants Zarahanum appearing first in the Plains of Eceis or Aseis three Miles from Fez and stretching eight Miles Westward It is properly under the Jurisdiction of Mequinez and contains forty Hamlets or Villages lying among the Green Olive-Trees wherewith it is every where abundantly shadowed Titulit standing on the top of it was formerly the Chief City of this Territory two Miles in Compass but by King Joseph of the Race of the Almoraviden utterly destroyed and hath ever since remain'd waste only that fifteen or twenty Alsakues or Priests reside there in so many Houses standing about the Mosque Some report there yet remains a City commonly call'd Elkazar-Pharon that is Pharaoh's Palace but by Geographers Kazar Zarahanum being three Miles from Titulit with a small River on each side and shadowed round about with Groves of Olive This City was ruined the same time with Titulit there being at present no other Remainder of it but a Market-place call'd Larbaa el Haibar frequented every Wednesday by the People of Fez and Mequinez But Dar el Hamare which Marmol thinks is The Epitiane of Ptolomy stands here yet without any injury and well Peopl'd though the Inhabitants are mightily terrifi'd with Lions coming thither frequently to seek Prey At the Foot of this Mountain near the way from Mequinez to Fez appear the Ruines of Gemae formerly call'd Gotiane destroyed by King Abu-saiid of the Benimerin Race Tagat or Togat two Miles West from Fez and extending from West to East two Miles as far as the River Bu Nacer Guerygure is very populous close to Atlas three Miles from Fez between the Plains of Eceis and Adhasen Here rises the Head of the River Aguber that after a short Western Course joyns with the Stream Beber ¶ IN this Province also six Miles from Fez lie the Plains of Eceis or Aseis full of Villages and Inhabitants and Beniguarten Vale containing about two hundred Residences of the Arabs This Jurisdiction produceth great abundance of Grain The Quality of the Soil of the Territory of Fez. Cotton and Flax even to admiration as also variety of Fruits especially Figs Almonds Olives and large Grapes Horses Camels Oxen Sheep Goats Deer and Hares breed here in great numbers But this Plenty of all Necessaries is attended with a great Inconvenience for the Air of the Countrey ten Miles in Length and five in Breadth Westward from Old Fez is infectious and unhealthful causing in the Inhabitants a pale yellow Colour and casting them into malignant and other mortal Diseases The whole Countrey is full of Gardens wherein grows Flax Melons Citrons Beets Herbs and all sorts of such Plants in such vaste quantities that it is said that the Gardeners in Summer bring five thousand Waggons with Fruit and Herbs to Market and
other Mountains viz. Equebdenon or rather Mequeb Huan a large one boasting seventy two small Villages before the Spaniards had Casafa but since that much thinner of Inhabitants Benisahia reaching Eastward from Casafa to the River Nokor in Length eight miles and containing about an hundred and eighteen Villages Besides Azgangan Beneteuzin and Guardan remarked onely for their Monuntainous Qualities ¶ THis Dominion The Constitution of the Territories though it hath many yet wants some Necessaries for humane Sustenance particularly Water many Places having no other than the Rain-water they can catch The whole Countrey except the Hill Benesahid being dry and barren like the Desarts of Numidia ¶ THe Desarts feed abundance of all sorts of Cattel the chiefest Riches of the Inhabitants So also the Mountains Echebdeaon Benesahid and Azgangan But those Mountains about Meggeo inclose in their Bowels much Iron which they barter or exchange with the Merchants of Fez for Oyl ¶ MOst of the Inhabitants are very generous The Manners or Customs of the Inhabitants milde and affable especially the Citizens of Meggeo and the People of Benesahid And such is their Temperance that they drink no Wine although their Neighbors of Erriff make great quantities CHAUS CHaus The Borders of the Territory of Chaus by Marmol call'd Cuz the seventh and last Province but not the least of this Kingdom being in effect a third part of the whole having on the East the River Zha or Ezaha to the West that of Guraigura in Length from East to West near forty six miles and in Breadth about forty It s Bigness For it contains all the Parts of Atlas over against the Moors Countrey a great part of the Plains of Numidia and the Mountains bordering upon Lybia Teurert is placed among the chiefest Cities of this Jurisdiction Teurert scituate on a Hill near the River Zab fronting on the North the Desart of Garet to the South looking on the Wastes of Adduhra on the East those of Angah bordering on Telensin and in the West on the Wildes of Tafrata adjoyning to Tezza Hadagia Hadagia a little Town erected at the Conflux of the Rivers Melule and Muluye first spoil'd by the Arabians of the Desart Darda and afterwards during the Wars of Teurert utterly demolish'd But the Turks have re-peopled and beautifi'd it so that now it flourishes no less than at any time heretofore Garsis formerly Galafa erected upon a Rock near the River Muluie Garsis five miles from Teurert fortifi'd with a Castle and made a Store-house for Corn by the Marin Kings The Wall and all the Houses built of Black Touch. Dubdu a very Antient City Dubdu in the heighth of twenty five Degrees North Latitude upon a high Mountain principally inhabited by the People of Zenete Meza or Tezar a strong Town two miles from Mount Atlas twelve from Fez. Meza forty from the Great Ocean and seven from the Midland-Sea in former times was accounted the Third of the whole Kingdom having a far greater Mosque than any in Fez and five thousand Houses all meanly built except the Palaces of the Nobility and Colledges which carry more state The Jurisdiction of this City is very great and comprises several Mountains upon which several People dwell Sophroy a little City at the foot of Mount Atlas Sophroy four miles Southward of Fez close by the Road leading to Numidia Mezdaga another small place three miles West from Sophroy Mezdaga and four to the South from Fez environ'd with a good Wall but the Buildings very slight yet each house necessarily accommodated with a Fountain of Water Benihublud of old call'd Beuta distant from Fez three miles Benihublud and water'd with several Streams flowing from the adjacent Hills Hamlisnan otherwise nam'd Ain el Ginum that is The Fountain of Idols Hamlisnan because in old time the people meeting in the Temple scituate near a standing-Pool did commit all sorts of uncleanness Menhdia or Mehedia seated upon Mount Arden Menhdia about three miles from Hamlisnan formerly in the Civil Wars of the Countrey laid waste but since Peopled anew and repair'd by the Arabians Tezerghe a small City built in form of a Castle by a Rivers side Tezerghe at the foot of Mount Cunâ—igelgherben Umengiveaibe and Gerceluin two old decay'd Towns Vmengiveaibe Gercelum the first not far from Atlas the later near the Mountain Zis now of little note but heretofore strongly wall'd by the Kings of the Marin Family ruling in these Parts ¶ WIthin this Tract of Land are two great Plains the one call'd Sabblelmarga that is The Field of Contention being forty miles long and ten broad having neither Houses or Towns but a few small Huts lying here and there dispersedly the other vulgarly nam'd Azagari Commaren ¶ Mountains here be Matgara or Matagara two miles from Teza Mountains difficult to be climb'd up by reason of the narrowness of the way Cavata no better condition'd than the former yet contains fifty Villages with two fair Springs that feed and supply two Rivers Megeze shewing forty Villages Baronis noted onely for the Name Beniguertenage reasonably Peopled Guceblen otherwise call'd Guibeleyn thirteen miles in Length and two in Breadth neighboring upon Dubdu and Banyasga Benirifften and Selelgo or Ciligo out of which runs a River with so strong a Fall downwards that will drive before it a stone of an hundred weight The River Subu also takes his Rise from hence being the greatest in all Mauritania There also appear the Mountains Benyazga and Azgan which last in the East Butteth upon Selelgo West on the City Sophroy South on the Mountains above the River Muluye and to the North on the Plains of Fez Mount Miabir that is Hundred-pit Hill upon whose top stand some old Buildings near which there lieth a deep Hole or Pit that they can find no bottom of it by Fathoming Cunaigelgherben or Condigetherben not far from Miabir but altogether without Inhabitants partly by reason of the vehement and sharp Cold and partly for the multitudes of Lions and Leopards there breeding upon whose top riseth a high Rock frequented with infinite Flights of Crows and Ravens whence some imagine the Mountain took Name Kunai-gel-gherben properly signifying a multitude of Ravens The passage by it is dangerous in regard oftentimes out of the North so strong Drifts of Snow rowl from thence that Travellers have been buried under them without hopes or possibility of recovery Yet the Neighbouring Arabs called Beni Essen usually frequent them for the coolness of the Water and refreshment of the Shades The Mountains Benimerasen and Mazetraze Mezitalze the last from West to East about ten miles in length and four miles in breadth borders upon Temesne Mount Zis thirty four miles long and fourteen broad Butting East on Mazetraze West on Tedle and Mount Edis South on part of Numidia called Segelmesse and North on the Plain of Edeksen and Guregra
after a long Northern passage Marries the Sea Eastward of Metafuz near the Village of Beni Abdala Hued el Quibir Hued el Quibir by the Spaniards and Portuguese named Zinganor and taken for the Mazabath of Ptolomy shoots from the beforementioned Mount and falls into the Sea near the City Bugie Sufgemar Sufgemar the Ampsago of Ptolomy rising in Mount Auras having watered several dry and thirsty Plains gives a Visit to Constantine afterwards augmented by contributary Water of Marzoch empties it self into the midland-Midland-Sea Yadoch Yadock or Ladoch proceeding from Atlas Eastward of the City Bona unites with the Mediterrane ¶ THe Constitution of the Air in this Climate is so temperate The Air or Climate that the greatest Heats doth not parch the Leaves of the Trees nor do they fall off with the Cold. In February they commonly Blossom and in April the Fruits have a visible greatness so that in the beginning of May they have ripe Cherries and Plumbs and towards the end Apples and Pears in June Grapes fit to be gathered but in August all later Fruits viz. Figs Peaches Nutts and Olives attain a perfect maturity ¶ THe Land here is for the most part barren dry and rugged The kind of Land full of great Desarts onely the Plains Northward between Tremecen and the Midland-Sea produce good Pasturage and Feeding for Cattel and great quantities of Fruit and some Corn. ¶ THe Desarts breed Lions Ostriches Hedg-hogs Wild-Swine Harts The Beasts Camelions Leopards and Apes besides great quantities of Wild-Fowl ¶ THe Cities here are but small and thinly peopled yet conveniently seated and inhabited chiefly by Merchants who live in very noble Equipage by Trafficking into Guinee Biledulgerid and several parts of Negroe-Land The People of this Region come from several Nations The several sorts of People in Algier and therefore each differing from other both in Religion and Customs The first are Native Turks which out of Poverty remove hither out of the Levant or the East for Profit and Gain where they become Souldiers of Fortune The next are High-Land Moors called Kabaylees and Asaguen constantly following the Turks Colours both in War and Peace Then Jews and Moriscoes Exiles of Andaluzia Granado Aragon and Catalonia Besides Slaves of all Countreys dispersed every where especially in the City of Algier Without the Cities dwell none but Moors and Arabians commonly called Larbusses Arabians and Larbusses who usually make their Residence by the Rivers sides in Hutts or Tents two or three hundred together which they call Douar and one single Tent Baraque as we mentioned at large in our General Description Other Arabs range through the Desarts in great numbers not fearing the King of Algier by whose Armies if at any time overpowered they fly to the Wilderness of Biledulgerid whereinto they cannot be pursued so that the most of them at all times live in freedom Therefore Algier it self did give them a general Pension to live peaceably but now most of them pay Tribute to Algier fetched from them yearly by the Janizaries In Tremecen is another sort of Warlike People named Galans of Meliava and divided into five Tribes viz. Uled Abdala Uled Muca Uled Cacix Uled Suleyman and Uled Hamar who command and enslave the Brebers both of Algier Tenez Brebers and Bugie TREMECEN or TELENSIN THe Jurisdiction of Tremecen or Telensin formerly a distinct Government Trenecen was formerly a particular Kingdom but now incorporated to Algier of which we shall first treat though somewhat improperly in regard it is not the chief Province but because of its Neighbourhood to Fez Marmol p. l. 5. Gramay l. 7. Sanut l. 5. and for the more orderly viewing the Goasts of Barbary It derives the Denomination from the principal City named by the Affricans Telimicen but by the Europaeans corrupted into Telensin comprising formerly the Cities of Tremezen Teuzegzet Zezil Guagida Ned Roma Teberrit Ona Haresgol Hubet Tefezara Tezela Agobel Barha Marka Elquibir Oran Canastel Arzeo Mazagras Mostagan and Beni-arax together with the Desart Angued or Angad and the Mountains Beninezeten Matagara Beniguernid Tarara Agbal and Magarava but now circumscribed in narrower Limits The Cities yet left are Tremecen Hubet Tefezre and Tezele with the Mountain Beniguernid Tremecen Tremecen or Telemicen the supposed Timisi of Ptolomy by some call'd Telesin or Tremisen and by Marmol Tlemisan five small miles from the Midland-Sea Abu Texifien who Ruled about the Year Fifteen hundred and twenty raised the Walls of Hewen Stone forty Cubits high and strengthened with many Cittadels or Redoubts where-through the Citizens pass five Gates with Draw-Bridges the whole overlooked by one great Castle erected according to the Modern Architecture with many Chambers Dining-Rooms and Apartments besides Gardens and Lodgings for the Janizaries Within the City are five Colledges built Quadrangular after the Italian manner yet scarce eight Mosques remaining of an hundred and fifty whereof the City formerly boasted each having a Tower built after the Dorick method and beautified with Marble Pillars four great and eminent Baths all that are left of fifty two Inns for Strangers Venetians and Genoueses and four eminent ones for the Moors the best remains of six and thirty in former time set apart for entertainment of Travellers and relief of the Sick Most of the Streets spacious and large wherein are ten fair Market-Places where the Merchants have Ware-houses and whither the Neighbouring Countrey with Commodities come twice a Week The Houses there are much more stately and larger Their Houses than in the City of Algier having Gardens Planted with Flowers and all sorts of Fruit-Trees In the Year Fifteen hundred and twenty they reckoned six thousand Houses and in sixty two Five and twenty thousand but at this day the number by the Tyranny of the Turks is very much abated the Merchants in general removed to Fez. The Jews had there ten great Synagogues which yet were not capable of their multitudes but since the Year Fifteen hundred and seventeen their number and strength is wonderfully decreased Hubet is a Walled Town Hubet a small half mile Southward of Tremecen said to be built by the Romans and called Minara by Ptolomy placed in thirty two Degrees and ten Minutes North Latitude famous onely among the Moors for the stately Sepulchre of Sidi Bu Median a Morabout in the great Meskiet and an adjoyning Colledge and Hospital Tefzare Tefzare or Tefesre Scituate upon a Plain four miles Eastward of Tremecen surrounded with strong and high Walls and taken for the Astacilis of Ptolomy Tezele Tezele formerly Ariane destroyed by King Abuhascen and never since either re-built or inhabited Beniguernid The Mountain Benigueuid an Arm or Limme of the Great Atlas and full of Villages and People ¶ THis Countrey The Quality of the Countrey by means of the great plenty of Water both in Rivers and Wells yields abundance of Grain all sorts of
Royal Seat of their new Government under their Prince King Abni These in the Year Seven hundred sixty and two were driven out by the Saracens and about a hundred years after that Joseph the first King of Morocco gave the Kingdom and Castle of Bugie then subdu'd by him to one Hucha-Urmeni though a Saracen without paying or doing Homage And though his Successor was disturb'd by the Arabians yet afterwards they held a fair Correspondence with Tunis But two hundred and sixty years since the Sovereign Power falling it became Tributary to the King of Telensin under which it continu'd till the Reign of Abuferiz King of Tunis who subdu'd Bugie giving it to one of his Sons call'd Habdidi Haziz with the Title of King whose Race Govern'd by Succession till Don Pedro de Navarre by Command of King Ferdinand in the Year Fifteen hundred and ten with a strong Army Conquer'd it for the Spaniard who slighted the old Castle and cast up two other new Forts on the Shore by the Haven This City and Forts Barbarossa supposing to stand in his way as opposing the Designs he had upon several parts of Barbary and at the invitation of the expell'd King came in the Year Fifteen hundred and twelve with twelve Galleys well man'd and an Assistance of three thousand Moors drawn by their King from the Mountains and pitched before the City yet after so fair a shew of his great Power eight days continually battering the Castle being discourag'd by a small Shot receiv'd in his left Arm he faintly withdrew and broke up the Siege returning to Tunis and the King to the Mountain This much troubling Barbarossa that he had so dishonourably forsaken such an Enterprise having recover'd his Wound in the Year Fifteen hundred and fourteen he renew'd the former Siege in which plying the Castle so hot and shaking it with his great Cannon it fell but the Garrison'd Souldiers retir'd into the City Then instantly he apply'd himself to the Storming of the other Castle and without doubt would have carried it though in the first Assault there remain'd an hundred Turks and as many Moors dead upon the Spot had not Martin de Reuteria with five Ships and a competent number of Souldiers came opportunely to their Assistance into the Haven whereupon Barbarossa was once more compell'd to depart to Gigeri Charles the Fifth Emperour seeing of what great consequence it was to keep this place for the more easie Conquest of Algier for the better Security thereof built a Fort upon the Hill which commanded the Castle At length those of Algier after many fruitless Attempts became Masters thereof in the Year Fifteen hundred fifty and five by the Conduct of the Bassa Sala who with three thousand Turks and thirty thousand Moors beleaguer'd in two places both the Castles as well by Land as Water First he gain'd the Castle lying on the Sea cutting off most of the Defendants then slighting it and pursuing his Success fell upon the other Fort with such fury that the Lieutenant Alonso de Peralta was forc'd to desert it and seek Refuge in the City but considering the weakness of the Town as not able to endure an Attaque surrendred the City Shipping thence according to Articles for Spain four hundred old Souldiers for which Service he was rewarded by cutting off his Head and ever since Bugie hath been under the Government of Algier GIGERI Or GIGEL THis Countrey bordering with the Sea Marmol so calls from a Village of that Name In the way between Algier and Bugie being fifteen miles from the later consisting of about five hundred mean Houses near which stands an old Castle upon a Hill almost inaccessible This Territory reacheth Southward to the Borders of the Numidian Desart containing Mount Haran being about twenty miles from Bugie and fifteen from Constantine and running Northward to the pleasant Valleys of Mesile Stefe Nekaus and Constantine ¶ THe Soil is generally barren and fit onely for Lime and Hemp which there groweth in great abundance Mount Auraz hath many Springs which so water the Plains that they are Plains that they are all Morass but dried up in the Season of the Year by the Heat of the Sun All this high Land is inhabited by Arabs a fierce and jealous people not permitting any Intercourse or the least Commerce with the Low-Landers lest they should dispossess them of their Habitations The Village Gigeri is very rich especially by the Trade they had in former times with the French who us'd to put in there for Hides and Wax The Inhabitants Traffick in small Vessels laden with Nuts and Figs to Tunis giving to the Bashaw of Algier the Tenth of all their Cargo's ¶ IN the Year Fifteen hundred and fourteen Barbarossa subdu'd this Territory The French are driven out of Gigeri and gave himself the Title of King of Gigeri And by that means when Cheridin Barbarossa his Brother and Successor in his Conquest submitted to the Grand Seignior this with the rest became subject to the Turks who disturb'd by the French that had won something upon it there were still Endeavors by the one to keep what they had got and by the others to regain what they had lost So the French in November 1664. designing to Fortifie themselves had an Assistance sent to them under the French Admiral Duke de Beaufort who arriving with a Naval Army sent a Spy to finde out the Strength of the Moors and to prevent his Discovery attir'd him in Turkish Habit promising him for a Reward of his Fidelity and care fifteen Pistols determining upon his return to fall upon the Moors with eight hundred men fifty of which he intended for an Ambuscade The Citÿ GEGERY DE STADT GIGERI◠CONSTANTINE COnstantine a Maritime Province so call'd from its Metropolis includes Its Borders according to Marmol that space of Land which the Antients named Nero Numidia containing formerly Constantine Mele Tefas Urbs Ham Samit and Beldelhuneb the Rivers Magier and Guadilbarbar dividing it from Tunis The Head City Constantine formerly according to Strabo and Mela The Head City call'd Constantine did bear the Name of Cirta Numidia and Cirta Julia having for the Founder Micipsa King of Numidia but Gramay thinks it a Roman Work by the stateliness and form of the Buildings Marmol averrs that this City was of old call'd Kulkua a Plantation of Numidia and that the Moors still entitle it Kucuntina It lieth on the South side of a very high Mountain surrounded with steep Cliffs from among which the River Sugefmart floweth so that the Cliffs on both sides serve in stead of a Rampart on the other side strengthened with high Walls of black Stone exquisitely hewen through which are but two ways into the City the one on the East the other on the West It containeth about ten thousand Houses many well Paved Streets furnished with all kind of Tradesmens Shops On the North side stands a Castle and without the
wherein to Sow Barley and Rye to preserve it from their Pillage ¶ ORanges Lemmons Dates and such like Fruit grow here plentifully The Plants or Vegetables so also Olives for a mile round about the City which afford Oyl not onely for the Natives but Foreigners and their Wood they burn in stead of other Fewel Borbo produces Roses and other sweet-smelling Flowers The high Mountain Zagoan Barley and Honey Genslet yields Apples and St. Johns-Bread but Benitefren and Naifuse onely Barley and but little of that ¶ THe whole Countrey especially the Mountainous Parts Beasts are full of Lyons wild Bulls and Cows Ostriches Apes Camelions Neat allow-Deer Hares Phesants besides such abundance of Horses and Camels that they bear little or no price ¶ THe People of Tunis are Moors Turks Jews The Inhabitants and Slaves of several Nations taken by their Pyrates in the Mediterrane and brought thither Here are also a sort of Men that Laze up and down the Streets bare-headed and bare-footed with Stones in their Hands like Mad or Distracted Folks whose careless Madness hath won such a reputation upon the folly of the Vulgar that they not onely account them Saints but allow them a settled Maintenance at the Publick Charge ¶ THeir Cloathing is according to the best Fashion of their Countrey Their Cloathing each in his several Degree but all wear Turbans made and covered with Linnen or other Stuff after the Turkish manner Womens Habits especially of the better sort are very neat and richly adorn'd with Jewels when they go into the Street they cover their Faces with a great Cloth over which they cast another which they call Setfari these multifarious Coverings at a distance make them appear of a much larger Size than ordinary When they remain at home they spend the greatest part of their Time and Means in making Perfumes and other like Trifles not minding Huswifery or any other profitable Employments ¶ THeir Bread is for the most part made of Wheat Their Food though the vulgar use Barley which in stead of kneading with Hands they beat with Battoons The common Diet of Merchants Artificers and the like is but a course Food call'd Besis made of Barley-meal and Water like Pap or Pudding to which they give a Haut-goust with Oyl-Olive and Juice of Lemmons and Oranges which they buy in the Market appointed for the Sale thereof and nothing else Besides this they eat also Flesh especially that of Lambs but more than these another kind of Dish they have in the eating whereof they take great pleasure the common known Name is Lasis of which whoever eats two Ounces is so far from satisfying his Stomach therewith that it rather augments it to a kind of Caninus appetitus or unsatisfied voraciousness attended with a continual Laughing and other antick Gestures till at length they fall into the extravagancies of a lustful Passion ¶ IN this City are all manner of Handicrafts Their Employment but chiefly Linnen-Weavers whose skill in their Trade was such as made their Cloth of great repute both for strength and fineness The Mountaineers deal onely in Cattel living in Hutts which they draw together to the number of a hundred or two hundred wherewith they continually range about and change Places as their Cattel want fresh Pasture Those Hutt-Villages stand in order with ways and passages between all leading to a great Field in the midst where the Cattel feed On the out-sides they stand so close that they are like a Wall passable onely at two Entrances the one for the Cattel and the other for the Men and these in the Nights so secured with Trees Thorns and the like that they neither fear Lyons nor other wild Beasts ¶ THe King or Bashaw of Tunis receives Annually two hundred thousand Ducats Their Reverue besides the Custom upon Olives and Linnen Exported Wheat heretofore amounted to forty thousand Ducats more Others reckon that the Bashaw Letts the Lands and Customs for five hundred thousand Escues or French Crowns The whole Revenue seems to arise to more than two hundred thousand Ducats yearly Peter Dan says Peter Dan. that the Revenue of this Kingdom is but accidental and uncertain accrewing chiefly not from any standing In-come but onely from the Fishery which yields a Rent yearly of thirty thousand Ryalls of Eight and the Jews Poll-money all the rest raised out of the Prizes of the Ships taken by the Corsaires of Tunis in the Mediterrane from the Christians which yield Ten in the Hundred as also from the Tributes and Taxes which with Flying Parties they fetch from the Land of the Arabians and Moors ¶ THe Inhabitants are not Rich either in Banks or Stocks Their Riches because of the Dearness of all things especially Corn which they fetch from Urbs and Beggie ¶ THeir principal Merchandise is Their Merchandise as we said before Linnen-Cloth which is there made in great quantities and carried all over Africa so Oyl Olives Sheep Ostritches and Horses from which they raise great Gain ¶ THe Native Moorish Kings of the Countreys first stamped here Gold Sultanies or Ducats greater by a third part than our European Ducats Their Coyn. and worth four and twenty Carraks They have also a square silver Coyn call'd Nosara as also Aspers and Duble's and another call'd Borbas of Copper of the like value with those of Algier ¶ THe Government heretofore was Monarchical Their Government and long continued in the Line of Moorish Kings which were not by Election but an Hereditary Succession of the eldest Son of the deceased Kings or for want of Sons the next of Blood to the King took the Dominion But since their Expulsion by the Turks the State is wholly altered being at present Commanded by a Bashaw or Vice-Roy sent thither from Constantinople who Ruled with greater and more unlimited Authority than any other Bashaw of the Great Turk in Africa He is assisted with the Council or Divan of the Janizaries the Aga some chief Officers call'd Beniloukbassen and four Counsellors who wear upon their Heads a Hood with a Silver Horn. ¶ PEter Dan says this Bashaw is changed every three year Peter Dan. and another sent into his Place whose present Authority is much eclipsed in that he meddles with nothing but the Receipts of the Revenue that those of Tunis elect a chief Officer of their own with the Title of Dey to whose care the Government of the City is committed during his life unless which sometimes happens for miscarriages therein displaced and put to death Other inferior Officers for the better Administration of Justice are an upper Cadle that is a Marshal or rather a Sheriff who appoints under him many Substitutes who hear and determine all criminal Causes and such as relate to Life and Death but not without apparent testimony The occasions of these alterations and new settlements have proceeded from several grounds whereof we will give you
call'd The Ornament of the World But soon after the Vandals under their King Genserick in the Year after Christ's Nativity Four hundred forty two reduced it to great misery which yet once more it recovered and remained a City of good estimation till suffering under the Gothish Devastations but at length finally destroy'd by the Arabians and made a heap of Ruines as it still continues The chief and greatest remaining Antiquity of this once so famous Place is a Water-course Vaulted over with high Arches through which it runs into the City although many remainders of the old Fortifications may yet be seen and some ruined Structures The Village Marsa which we mention'd before is the onely place that keeps up the memory of Carthage being built in part of its Ruines and a poor piece of the Skeleton of that once so glorious Body so true is that of the antient Poet Sic patet exemplis Oppida posse mori ¶ THe Valleys lying round about have a very sweet Air The Condition of the Countrey because continually cleared by fresh Breezes that come from the Sea and are full of Orchards Planted with great variety of Fruit of a pleasant taste and very large especially Peaches Pomegranates Olives Figs Citrons Lemmons and Oranges wherewith the Markets of Tunis are plentifully furnisht the rest of the Ground also being exceeding Fertile though circumscribed in narrow Limits for on the North lieth the Mountain Thesea and the Lake of Goletta and on the East and South the Plain of Byserta the rest between Carthage and Tunis for almost three miles dry and barren Land ¶ THe Ground about Arriane produceth some Wheat and St. Johns Bread Plants or Vegetables but about Naples nothing but Flax and about Kammart many Sugar-Canes ¶ SOme wild Beasts are found hereabouts as also a sort of Gray Partridges Beasts and others with black Feathers on their Breasts and Wings the remaining part Ash-coloured with the Bill and Feet much shorter than the Partridges here with us In the Lake of Goletta are Birds by the Moors call'd Louze and by the Turks Kalckavensi having Legs two Foot and a half long and all their Feathers Milk white THE DOMINION and CITY OF BYSERTA or BESERTA SOme take Byserta now a small Village for that Ituqua of Ptolomy or Utica of Caesar and Titus Livius famous by the Death of Cato who having in behalf of the Pompeyan Faction undertaken the Defence of this City when he could no longer hold it chose rather to lay violent hands on himself than fall into the Power of Caesar Marmol takes it for Porto Farnia which he says the people of Barbary call Garelmetha although some stick not to say that it hath been and is known by the Name of Mazacharus or Kallefort as being a Member of the French Garrisons in Africa However it is the Moors give it the Name of Bensart or Benserth that is Son of the Lake for Ben signifies Son and Serte A Lake from whence it is easily corrupted to Byserta It stands on the Mediterranean-Sea between Razamuza by the Antients call'd The Point of Apollo and The Mouth of the River Bagrada ten French miles from Tunis where there is a great Lake much frequented by Fishermen formerly containing within the Walls six thousand Families but now Garrison'd by the Turks who keep there two great Prisons for Slaves besides Store-Houses for Merchandise and two strong Fortifications or Sconces for the Security of the Haven Westward of the Lake lies a great Plain call'd Mater Plains of Water belonging to Byserta but bordering on Goletta Not far distant is Choros formerly call'd Clypea or rather according to Davity Kurobis because Clypea is the true Quippia and the modern Kalibbie seated on the River Magride about two miles from Tunis formerly in the Civil Wars of the Countrey laid waste but re-built and peopled by a sort of Alarbes call'd Benicheli intermixt with others so that at present it shews the face of a well-inhabited Town The Haven of Farine is famous onely by the fatal Wreck of St. The Haven of Farine Lewis King of France in his return back from the Holy Land and two great Rocks lying at its Mouth ¶ THis Countrey hath abundance of fresh Water in all Quarters The Constitution of the Countrey which afford great variety of Fish in the Lake are usually taken Dorads or Dolphins of five or six pound weight and from the end of October to the beginning of May great quantities of a Fish call'd by the Natives Elft by the Spaniards Jachas and by the Moors of Barbary Giarrafas The great Plain of Mater is a fat and marly Soyl which would yield a good Return to the painful Husbandman if he might reap the Profits free from the Incursions and Thieveries of the Arabs Choros also is not backward in a Fertile Return according to the quality of its Soyl which yields vast and lofty Groves of Olive-Trees for the great benefit of the Inhabitants ¶ THe People go almost naked Their Cloathing wearing onely a Barrakan or short Apron a half Turban a Cloth about their Necks but bare-footed and bare-legg'd ¶ THeir Food is a kind of Couscous made of Meal Their Food Eggs Salt and Water which they dry and can keep a whole year Their Bread is a sort of Cakes call'd Obs Baked on the Hearth and their Drink made of Raisins and Wine Lees boyl'd together The poorer sort have no Beds but sleep upon Mattresses of Sedge laid on the Ground The more noble have in their Chambers long and narrow Divisions higher than a Man made fast to the Walls with very fine Wicker-work which they climb up to by a Ladder when they go to sleep ¶ THe Houses and Churches are whited once a year on the out-sides Their Houses but the in-sides are slovenly enough In their Kitchins if so we may call them Fire is a stranger all their Victuals being drest and boyl'd in a sort of moveable Ovens They are much inclined to Sorcery wearing Papers Written with small Characters Sticht in Leather on their Necks and on the Heads of their Horses when they draw into the Field to Fight believing that they will free them from all Diseases and Mishap URBS and BEGGIE URbs and Beggie two several Territories comprehend these Cities Urbs Beggie Hain-Sammin and Kasba with some great Plains The City Urbs formerly Turridis The City Vrbs founded by the Romans on a delightful Plain eight and thirty miles on the South of Tunis shews yet many Remainders of Antiquity as Marble Images Borders upon the Gates with Latine Inscriptions and Walls of thick Square-hew'd Stone together with a Castle betwixt which and two adjacent Villages runs a River of fresh Water convey'd in a Trench of pure white Stone to the City Beggie also built by the Romans about six miles from the Mediterrane Beggie and twenty to the Westward of Tunis by a High-way leading from
harrasing he erected this onely for a convenient Retreat for the Army and a Repository for his Booty for the security whereof he environ'd it with impregnable Walls Within he erected a stately Mosque supported with Marble Pillars two of which were of an unvaluable worth being of a red Colour and glistering intermixt with small white Spots like Porphiry but notwithstanding this Strength and Beauty yet is it destitute of water being scituate on a dry and sandy Plain Tobulte or Tabulta Tobulte according to Bertius and by some taken for Adrimentum boasts it self a Roman Foundation standing on the edge of the midland-Midland-Sea three miles Eastward of Monaster One Elugleb being chief Magistrate there by the consent of the Inhabitants erected another goodly Pile of Buildings which they nam'd Recheda adjoyning to it for a Palace for the Prince and his Retinue both which in the Civil Wars of Barbary were greatly defac'd and never since recover'd their former Lustre Arfachus Arfachus otherwise Esfakos or according to Marmol Elfachus thought by some to be Rhuspe of Ptolomy and by others Tafrute built by the Moors at the Mediterranean-Sea heretofore handsomely Wall'd and very Populous but now can shew not above four hundred mean Houses ¶ THe Sandy-Plain about Kayravan bears neither Trees The Constitution of the Countrey Corn nor Fruit so that all Necessaries are fetcht by them from other places They have no Wells nor any Springs onely Rain-water which with great diligence they preserve Nor is that of sufficiency for that also after the going out of June fails them so that they are reduc'd to great extremity About Arfachus and Tobulte there grows some Barley and Olives but the greatest part of the Land lies waste because of the Arabians pillaging ¶ THe Inhabitants of Kayravan are generally Skinners and Tanners The Nature of the Inhabitants which send their Leather to Biledulgerid and there barter and exchange it for European Cloth ¶ KAyravan is eminent for the Residence of a Mahumetan Pope Their Religion or Worship or High Priest of great esteem among them for his Sanctity and strict Observance of the Alcoran The Arabians ascribe to this place extraordinary Veneration for that their Kasiz or Priests continually here exercise their Priestly Functions maintaining that the Dead there buried cannot be damn'd because they participate so constantly of the Prayers of the Kasiz and Pope and this Belief has so far prevail'd that many great persons coming thither out of Reverence pull off their Shoes when they enter into the City as if it were a Mosque and build there Mesquites which they endow with great Revenues believing by such meritorious Works they shall go directly to their Paradice THE ISLAND OF TABARKA AND GALITA ABout six Miles from the Cape of Maskarez lieth the Island Tabarka Peter Davity Estats du Turkin Africa severed from the main Land by a Foordable Passage a Musquet Shot broad Now possessed by the French who have built there a Fort furnished with all Necessaries of War and a Garrison of Two hundred Souldiers as a Conveniency for defence and support of the Trade which they drive there with great advantage Transporting thence Hides Grain Wax and other Merchandise yet are obliged or rather compelled for that Licence to pay to the Bashaw of Tunis Four thousand Crowns and to the Bashaw of Algier Two thousand and yet for all this there is a Band of Janizaries always thereabouts to supervise their Actions and give a Check to them if they suspect any incroachment Here the French get Coral as we mentioned before Opposite to this but two Miles distant you may see the Island Galita or Galata TRIPOLIS TRipolis a Member of the Turkish Empire bears at this day the Title of a Kingdom not so much for the Largeness of its Extent or that it had peculiar Lords as that having a Bashaw from Constantinople it is nam'd out of ostentation to encrease the swelling bulk of those Titles which makes that Empire seem so Gigantick But be it one or other now it is so reckoned and containeth the Territories of Tripolis Essab Mezellata Mesrata The Partition or Cyrenaica and Barka with some Islands extending The Borders according to Peter Dan's Account Eastward along the Sea-Coast of the Island Zerby or Gerby to Egypt and Southerly to the Negroes Countrey ¶ THis City and State hath from the beginning had Lords of greatest eminency Tripoli under the Romans as first the Romans to whom it did Homage and Fealty when they were Masters of Africa but as their Strength and Glory declined shrowded themselves under the Protection of the Kings of Morocco Fez and Tunis which have possessed it by right of Birth But when the Inhabitants saw themselves oppressed by the Tyranny of Mukamur Under the Moors Son of Hesen King of Tunis they threw this yoke off their Necks first by a general Revolt then expelling the King's Lieutenant and all other his Officers and at last electing from among themselves one whom they made their Ruler or Magistrate putting all the Revenue and Support of the State into his hands In the beginning this new Lord rul'd with all gentleness but afterwards degenerating into all kinds of Tyranny his Brother in Law revenged the Cause of the City by killing him Freed from this Viper of their own breeding they impowered a Courtier of Prince Abubacer who had been a Recluse or Hermit who held the Command a few moneths till Ferdinand Vanquished by Ferdinand King of Arragon and Castile sent Don Pedro de Navarre thither with an Army who surprizing the City made all the Inhabitants Slaves and brought them away together with their Governor and his Son whom he sent first to Messina from thence to Palermo where the Emperor Charles the Fifth set him at liberty dismissing him home to Tripoli which the Christians as we said had dismantled and made untenable in all parts except the Castle which they fortifi'd with a brave Wall whereon they Planted divers great Cannon The young Prince being come to Tripoli re-peopled it in the name and on the behalf of the Emperor Charles but in the Year Fifteen hundred thirty and three together with Tunis Byserta Susa Monaster and the Island of Zerby was re-gained by Barberossa Re-gained by Barberossa who was scarcely warm in it before the Emperor Charles re-assaulted and took it By the Empetor Charles forthwith making a Present of it to the Knights of Malta who possessed it till the Year 1551. when under the Reign of Solyman the Magnificent Sinan Bashaw came and Besieged Tripoli to whom after a short time it was delivered upon honourable Articles It was brought under the Turks among which one was That the Garrison should march out with Bag and Baggage and be provided of convenient Shipping to Malta by Sinan but contrary to the Conditions most of them were plundered of their Goods two hundred of the Moors
THe most eminent Rivers watering Biledulgerid Rivers are Darha Ziz Ghir to which some adde the Sus Leo Africanus rather belonging to the Kingdom of Morocco as we have already set forth Darha Darha descending from Mount Atlas on that side which Borders the Countrey of Haskora thence running Southwards through a Land of the same Name loseth it self in many Rivulets first making luxurious Vales amidst the Desarts The River Ziz Ziz. falls branching it self also from Atlas then recollected into one Stream glides Southward straitned with several Mountains washing the Feet of Mount Gersolim Afterward visiting the Countreys of Chenegh Matgara Reteb and Segel-Messe thence losing it self in a Desart appears again at Fort Sugaihila From thence carried on making no stop till in the middle of a barren Sand choak'd up it becomes a Lake by none frequented but a few Hunting Arabs The River Ghir also derives from Atlas Ghir which Sanutus puts under twenty two Degrees Northern Latitude and five and twenty Degrees and a half Longitude which gliding Southward through Desarts cometh at last to Benignumi and from thence to a Sandy Wild where obstructed it makes a Lake as the former Besides those aforementioned Rio Blanko there are other less or second rated Rivers of which the first is the White River in Portuguese call'd Rio Blanko which falling from a Hill and running through the chief Province Biledulgerid commixeth its Streams from many Mouths with the Great Ocean But Buzedor springs not from a Mountain Buzedor but in Campaigne and so also gliding through Biledulgerid disembogues where it leaves its Name to the Town Buzidor into the same Sea The Dry River Dry River so call'd from its Channel being so often bankrupt in Summer scarce then having any Streams to carry Contribution to the Sea the French call Seche being rather a Brook than a River falling from the Highlands of Numidia not far from the Sluces of Ifran whence descending betwixt the Cape Bojador and the City Nun ends in the Ocean The Lebech Lebech also rising in a Hilly Countrey in its Descent swollen with the Waters of many other petty Streams loseth it self in its full greatness near Albena in the Atlantick Main Teseut Teseut or Teseutin the one in the Singular signifying A Shore the other in the Dual or Plural number Shores are two Rivers which rise within a small mile one from another in Mount Gegudeme which gliding through pleasant Plains and the Territory of Askore then both uniting their Streams with the River Lebick leave there their Denomination Hemissin boasts its Birth also from the Mountain in Biledulgerid Hemissin falling into the Sea near a place which the Sailers call Ansulim The River Tarkala Tarkala which taketh its Name from the Countrey thorow which it glides is but small and its Fountain not far distant though some suppose it springs from the Northern Hill so hasting till stagnated it becomes a Standing-Pool which often swelling turns into Morass the adjacent Valleys But Togdaa falls more probably from the Northern Mountains Togdaa and though little at first yet waters the Countrey of its own Name and running Southward from small grows great and sluggish so ending its progress there settles in a Standing-Water The warm River call'd by the Hollanders The Heet Revier being warm like a Bath descending from Atlas first fertilizing the Plains of Biledulgerid accommodating also the City Teolach and Nefta acquiesceth at last in the Desarts there becoming also a Standing-Pond Techort Techort another small River rushing from the Mountains bordering on Lybia running by the City Techort ends amongst Sandy Wilds in large Plashes The Brook Teusart descending from a Mountain runs Southward Teusart loseth motion in the Desart and so spreading it self becomes a shallow Fen. ¶ THe Soyl of Biledulgerid is hot and dry The Numidian Soyl. being very much attemper'd with the moisture which these foremention'd Rivers contribute most of them watering the Countrey quite thorow to the Desart of Lybia This Territory bears little Corn but superabounds with Dates and other fruitful Trees but in less quantities They have there also the Lotus and the Plant Euforbium with some other Rarities of that kind That part of Biledulgerid that borders Lybia yields but a small Product being craggy and barren Mountains whose Skirts are of as little value bearing nothing but inconsiderable Shrubs Brambles and Thorns a dry Sterility ruling over all for want of Water ¶ ALl Numidia is infected with various and deadly biting Serpents abroad The Beasts and within with Scorpions as dangerous which especially rage in Summer killing many They have store of Ostriches Camels and Goats and some breeds of Horses Their Corn-Harvest falls in April their Dates they gather in September and the middle of October but if Rain happens in April or September they neither sowe nor reap but their stor'd up Dates which are alwayes abundant supplies the Effects of a bad Year by which means though the Seasons prove intemperate they know no Famine yet though the Date grows there so plentifully that they never lack yet they would rather have a good Fruit-year than a Corn-year because the Arabian Merchants and others bring them in store of Grain which they willingly barter for Dates There groweth much of the Wood call'd Anil so useful for Dying Besides ravening wilde Beasts and venomous Serpents they suffer also much by the molestation of an East-Wind which raising such Tempests of Sand and beating on their Faces gets into the Eyes of those that travel making them always blear'd and sore otherwise the Air of it self is very healthy and oftentimes for an hundred years together they know no Pestilence Small Pox nor any other such like Distempers ¶ THe Inhabitants of Numidia are generally long liv'd The Constitution of the Inhabitants onely Scorbutick in so high a manner that their Teeth often drop out supposed to proceed from their constant eating of Dates whose sweetness so incrassates the Blood making slower the Circulation that this their Diet seems to be the chief cause of that Distemper They are also weak-sighted and much troubled with sore Eyes which accidentally happens from the Sandy Commotions carried on by the foremention'd noxious Eastern Winds They are by Nature jealous libidinous and ignorant not courting neither Knowledge or Learning nor minding how to live in a plentiful manner but though they are sedentary and slothful yet they are deceitful treacherous and murdering Robbers But some few of this Region are not guilty of this their sordid Condition but are more generous ingenious very civil and truly valiant ¶ THey eat much Camels Flesh Their Food and the Ostrich they esteem as a Dainty their Drink is Camels Milk and the Liquor in which the Flesh is boil'd not once so much as tasting clear Water Amongst their other Qualities there are some that are so nastily sordid that not
of Epaphus Son of Jupiter others would force the Name Lybia from the Arabick word Lebib which signifies Excessive Heat Now the Arabs call this Land Zaahara Zaara or Sarn that is The Desarts ¶ THe migrating Arabs The Arabian division of Lybia that so often in great companies shift their eaten up Stations for fresh Pasturage roving through this Lybia divide it now into three parts according to the diversity of the Soyl and varieties of Places to which they progress for the Sandy bearing neither Shrub nor Grass they call Tehel the Stony or Gravel Countrey Zaara and all that which is Morass or Boggy being always green Azgar And lately it hath been divided into ten Cantons Other Partitions into ten Territories or Desarts or Desarts in which there are some populous places the first that which belongs to the Lybick Nun to the Desart of Zenega or Zanaga Tagaza Zuenziga Hayr or Terga Lempta Berdoa Augele Serte and Alguechet every one so call'd from their Metropolis Cluverius on the other side brings the Desarts Lempta Hayr Zuenziga Zanhaga and the Kingdom of Targa and Berdoa under Biledulgerid and extends Sarra all the length of the Kingdom of Gaoga quite to Gualata ¶ MOst of the People of Lybia have their Dwelling-places about the River Zenega Where the People of Lybia have their chiefest dwelling-places a branch of the River Niger that they may the better drive their Trade and hold Commerce with the Negro's ¶ THis Lybia The Air. or Sarra hath so excellent and wholsom Air that it not onely excludes all Diseases from the Inhabitants but makes a Cure on all others that have long despaired of their recoveries of health so that from Barbary and other adjacent Countreys they thither repair and suddenly shaking off their weakness and Malady they return sound and able ¶ THe Soyl is very hot and dry The Water and hath great scarcity of Water none to be found but here and there in Pits or Wells and them for the most part brackish for in some places they travel six or seven days finding no Water so that the Merchants Trading from Fez to Tombut or from Telensin to the Kingdom of Agadez Bottle it up in Goat-skins and carry their provision of Liquor on Camels Backs But though the Way be much more troublesome which goeth from Fez to Gran-Cayre through the Wilderness of Lybia they have the benefit of a great Lake in their passage where the People of Ceu and Gorhan dwell Ieo Eerst Decl. Marmel lib. 1. cap. 14. and lib. 8. cap. 1. But in the other Road from Fez to Tombut they find some Springs covered over with Camels Hides out of which they draw their Water as in little Buckets with the Shank-bones of the same Creature The Merchants adventure more by Land than ours at Sea putting themselves oft in greater dangers especially if they set forth in Summer for then usually arise in those Countreys Southern Winds which raise abundance of Sand that new congealed drifts cover those Pits so deep that all Marks are lost whereby they may recover them again scarce guessing where they were they often fainting with thirst perish there as may appear by many of their dead Bodies found in the Way by following Travellers To prevent which misery in this necessitous exigent no other means being left they kill their Camels and squeeze the Water out of their Bowels and Maws which when they set forth they Tun up in their Bellies in such a quantity as would suffice them ten or twelve days this they refresh themselves withall and oft save their lives till they find some formerly known Pit yet in many places Camels Milk may be had ¶ THis Countrey is scatteringly inhabited and but thinly peopled The Soyl of the Countrey In the Rainy Season when wet Weather begins which commonly happens in mid August and continues to the end of November but sometimes stretching out a Moneth or two nay almost three Moneths longer then the Countrey flourishes with Grass and Herbage and the Temperature makes Travelling very pleasant and well accommodated for then there is neither scarcity of Water nor Milk the necessity of which at other times makes the whole Countrey a Map of misery But if those that observe their times to Travel set forth upon the advantage of the expected Season if then it happens as sometimes it falls out a general or second Drought then not onely Travellers are put to run the risque but the Inhabitants lose the Product of the whole year ¶ THere are some barren Mountains which bear nothing but inconsierable Shrubs Briers and Thorns The Vegetables The most fertile Soyl of all Lybia Manured produces onely Barley and but a few Dates by which we may judge the sterility of that Countrey Their chief support are Camels which there they have in abundance whose Flesh and Milk supplies sufficiently what their barren Earth and droughty Air denies them ¶ THey have also Adimmain Beasts not unlike Sheep The Animals See p. 24 which we have before mentioned and Ostriches But the People have also added to their other suffering viz. sudden incursions of wild Beasts and deadly biting Serpents preying both on Men and Cattel but most of all they are miserably infested with Locusts which in vast Armies clouding the Skie in their speedy March from Arabia and other Eastern parts take up their Quarters in those Desarts which what-ever they yield though little they utterly destroy enabling them for greater expeditions and their second flights to the Fare and Plunder of richer Countreys Barbary and Spain But a worse mischief when they are gone they leave behind them viz. their Spawn which produceth a more ravenous and greedy generation who heavy and unweildy not fit for flight sit down on the Trees and Plants and eat not onely the Leaves but the Bark and Rinds making all over a Famine which the Arabs call Jarat Yet the Inhabitants of the Arabian Wilds are hard enough for them though they spoyl theirs as other Countreys making them quit scores by eating the Eaters which they esteem savoury balances of the accounts of their losses ¶ HEre are five sorts of People Sects or Tribes as Zanaga's Guenazeries Several sorts of People in Lybia or Zerenziga's Terga's Lempta's and Bardoa's some of which are call'd Habexes others Breberians Natives of the Countrey one part reaching in Villages amongst Morass and Fenny Grounds and the others flitting from place to place for fresh Pasture for their Cattel like the wandring Arabs ¶ MAny of the Inhabitants are Meagre The Constitution of the Inhabitants Lean and more or less Deformed yet their so seemingly weak Constitution gives them strength and good health to the sixtieth year of their age The Women are something gross but their Arms and Legs their supporters are slender like Sticks or Tabletressles they are rather Brown than Fair their Speech and Behaviour Comely ¶ Both Sexes are naturally
seem to have appearance of Truth because the chiefest Geographers of this Age hold Gambea and Zenega to be two Branches of the Niger Yet some will have it Original Leo p. 1. that the Niger taketh its Original out of a Lake Eastward of the Desart Seu gliding from thence to the West and in the Atlantick disburthens its self But the Arabian and African Geographers assert that Niger is a Branch of the Nyle which running under ground after a great distance shews his so long-lost Streams again And that the Niger proceeds from the same Head or Fountain they also affirm from these Evidences First that they both breed one and the same sorts of Fish especially the Hipopotamus or Sea-Horse and overflow the Ground inriching the Neighboring Countreys near the same time and in the same manner as the Nyle The Antients themselves among whom Pliny make Nylus and Niger to be of one Nature or Quality and adde moreover that it produceth Reeds and the Papyrian or Paper-Plant as Nylus doth which the Egyptians used to write on as we on our Paper The Modern Geographers make Niger to take its Original out of a Lake call'd The Black Lake bordering on the Kingdoms of Medra and Vanque and make it also serve for a Boundary between the Abyssine or Prester-Johns Countrey and Negro-Land Afterwards it cuts through the Countreys of Biafar and Nubia diving about eighteen miles under ground and at last appears again and makes the great Lake of Borna lying upon the Borders of four Kingdoms From thence it floweth through these Realms Guangara Biafara Kassena Zegzeg and Kano and makes another great Lake call'd Sigisma or Guarda which in the South moisteneth the Kingdoms of Mandinga Guber and Gago and in the North that of Kano and Agadez gliding out of this Lake it runs to the West then rushing towards the North close by the Kingdom of Tombut and in the South hard by Melli spreads it self into a third ample Lake Niger parts into four Branches from thence branching into four Rivers near which losing its own Name Niger receives four new Denominations The first of which is call'd The River of Saint-John which in the Bay of Arguin falls in the Ocean whose Mouth makes the Haven Tofia The second running direct West which we have so often mention'd is Zenega The third gliding by degrees also West is call'd Gambea but the last Branch of Niger parts instantly into two other Branches one of which is call'd Sante Domingo and the other which taketh its Course to the South in Portuguese Rio Grande Each of these Branches boast of whole Kingdoms bordering their Banks as Guihala and Biguba according to the Name of those Rivers Rio Grande or The Great River distinguishes it self from the other Rivers in eleven Degrees Latitude and after having dispatch'd two Branches more from its own which are call'd Guinala and Biguba between the Islands of Bisegos falls into the Sea Sante Domingo otherwise call'd Jarim The River Sante Domingo is held by some for the eminentest River of the whole Coast because of the abundance of Slaves sold near its Banks It seems to be a Branch of Rio Grande which near the Bay call'd Esteirs Katerina ends its Progress in the Sea Many of the other Rivers gliding down from the In-land water the Coast of Negro-Land and fall into the Ocean But of these in their own particular place as of the other Rivers being Arms of Niger as Zenega and Gambea shall be treated of in the Kingdom Zenega between which they are included All these foremention'd Branches and Sub-branches swell and over-flow in the same manner and near the same time with the Nyle when the Sun in their Zenith enters Cancer all the benefit the Nyle brings to Egypt the like accommodation the Niger with other Rivers brings to Negro-Land Niger together with other Rivers beginning from the fifteenth of July rises forty days and retreating as long all which time till it draw within its circumscribed bounds the Low-Lands Plains and level Countrey becomes a Sea all places covered with Water as in Egypt where also during that time the Travellers are Rowed up and down in Boats The equal over-flowing of this River with the Nyle Isaac Vostius de Nili aliorum fluminum is not occasioned by the vicinity of the Springs of those Rivers belonging to the Nyle as the received Opinion but because their Head Fountains lie almost the same distance from the Equinox as we have declared at large Concerning the temper of the Air condition of the Soyl Vegetives Animals and the Constitution Modes and Manners of the Inhabitants their Riches their Policies in Government and several Religions of the Negro's Countrey in general shall here briefly be declared and as to what belongs to the materials of every Kingdom shall also in particulars be handled but observe that their Plants Beasts Men and Languages differ very much from neighboring Countreys under the Equator though the temperature of the Air and all the mutations thereof as Heat Cold Wind and Rain are not unlike but in a manner one and the same By the over-flowing of Niger Zenega and Gambea as also by the Rains Negro-Land is moistened and made exceeding fruitful in all manner of terrene Products especially Mille and Rice both being the chiefest Bread-corn of the Inhabitants The Countrey is in some parts plain and others Hilly but about the Banks of the River Niger it is very level and watered by several standing Pools left there by the retreating River which are planted about with shady Groves Recesses for ravenous Beasts and Elephants This Dominion fosters not onely tame but also wild Beasts in great numbers The Natives are very black but the Features of their Faces and their excellent Teeth being white as Ivory make up together a handsom Ayre and taking comeliness of a new Beauty they are well Limm'd and much addicted to Venus Their Languages are divers Their Language Gualata Tombut the In-land Guinee Melli and Gago there all these use onely one Tongue call'd Sungai but in the Kingdom of Kano Kalsene Zegzeg Guangura and Guber they have another call'd Guber and another in the Kingdom of Borno which is like that of Gaoga Likewise those of Nubia have a peculiar Speech of their own a Maslin of the Arabick Chaldee and some Coptick or Egyptian Besides along the Sea-Coast their Dialects differ every three or four miles distance but on the Coast of Guinee a particular Language Of which more hereafter As for their Governments Their Government some of them know none neither ever scarce heard of any but live in a confused Ataxy sway'd on all occasions like tumultuous Herds and at other times like tame Cattel feeding and following their idle pleasures But the rest are all Monarchical living under Laws Order and Princes Leo Eerst Decl. In the first place the King or rather Emperour of Tombut to whom they pay Tribute and
and such like Labors however want not courage or skill in Arms to defend themselves and offend their Enemies their Complexion black as Pitch their Language as their Colour peculiar to their Climate but all their Publick Devotions are performed in the old Coptick Tongue ¶ THeir Government is Monarchical Their Government and Religion Their Religion seems to relate to Christianity for in above a hundred and fifty Churches yet among them is to be seen the Image of Christ the Virgin Mary and many Saints and Martyrs Painted upon the Walls but much decayed by time and want of new Colourings Some affirm them to be neither Christians Turks Moors nor Jews but Hathen averrs they are yet Christians which Brokard confirms reporting that they Baptize one the other wherein they use hot Irons like the Abyssines with burning a Cross on some part of their Bodies and as a proof of their once being such the Patriarch of Alexandria hath Jurisdiction over them in all affairs Ecclesiastical whom they yet own using as we said before in all their Church-Services the Coptick Tongue BITO THis Kingdom hath for Borders on the West The Kingdom of Bito Guberion on the North Kano and Zegzeg on the East Temiam The chief City also call'd Bito lies in eight Degrees and ten Minutes of Northern Latitude The Inhabitants are governed by a Prince of their own TEMIAM THe Kingdom of Temiam lies neighbored in the West by the last mention'd Bito The Kingdom of Temiam in the North by Guangara the Eastern Limits are the Desart of Seth and Seu A. Anâ—u Trast 3. on the South washed by the great River Niger The chief City is Temikan The Head City Temikan scituate in eight Degrees and thirty Minutes of North Latitude where the Inhabitants are Cannibals or Anthropophagi DAUMA THe Kingdom of Dauma lies surrounded on the East by Medra The Kingdom of Dauma on the North with the Desart of Seth to the West hath the Wildes of Seu and on the South the Jews Countrey or the Kingdom of Semen The Inhabitants are very rich and govern'd by a Prince of their own Countrey who is an absolute Sovereign and when seen in publick carried up from the ground which he may not touch Sanut lib. 7. and if by chance at any time he do it is accounted ominous and he is purg'd with many Solemnities and Sacrifices MADRA MAdra also is a Kingdom conterminate in the East by Gorhan The Kingdom of Madra in the West with Dauma on the South by the Jews Countrey and on the North with Borno The chiefest Town thereof lies in eleven Degrees and twenty Minutes of Northern Latitude GORHAN GOrhan lies encompassed on the East with the Nile The Kingdom of Gorhan on the West with Medra hath Goago on the North and divided on the South by several great Mountains from Jewen-Land The People are as bruitish as wilde Beasts struggling with a thousand kindes of miseries and calamities in the Desart there being none that can understand their Language however they have a kind of Government and that too absolutely Monarchical The Countrey of the Jews or Kingdom of SEMEN SAnutus calls this Countrey in Italian Terre Giudei the Abyssines Xionuche but divers Europeans a little altering the pronunciation Semen in stead of Ximench or Ximen It lieth inclosed with Mountains and Desarts on the East extending themselves to Nile on the South to Congo and the Equinoctial-Line in the West to the Kingdom of Benin and on the North over against Davina and Medra a Countrey but little known and less conversed with and under the Domimon of the Abyssines The Desart of SETH and SEU THe Desart of Seth borders in the North on Borno in the East on that of Medra in the West on some Countreys where Gold is found in great plenty and in the South on the Kingdom of Dauma The Desart of Seu hath for Limits in the North the aforemention'd Golden Countreys in the East Dauma in the South vaste Mountains in the West the Kingdom of Benin From this Desart some affirm the great River Niger takes its beginning ¶ THus much we thought fit briefly to mention of the In-land Parts we will now lead you by the Sea-Coasts beginning at Cape Verde the farthermost Westerly Point of Negro-Land and so come to the Cape of Lopez Gonzalves and Saint Catharine The Coast of the Negro's Countrey THe furthermost Point of Negro-Land to the West is Cape Verde lying in fourteen Degrees and one and twenty Minutes Northern Latitude Three miles Southerly off which lieth a Village call'd Refrisko one mile from that another nam'd Kamino two miles further to the South-East Eudukura and a mile and a half beyond that Punto and then Porto d' Ale to the Westward of which is Punto d' Porto Ale that is The Point of the Haven of Ale On the same Shore not far from Porto d' Ale lies Cabo de Maste Porto Novo or New Haven and Punto Sereno or Bright-Point then Punto Lugar neighbors with the Village Juala on whose Southern side flow the Rivers De la Grace Barsala and Garnba on a Point of this last lies the Cape St. Mary from hence you pass to the Eastern River and that of Rha or Kasamanka and so to Cabo Roxo and the two greater and lesser Points Then appears the River Sante Domingo call'd also Jarim betwixt which and Cape Saint Mary live people known by the Names of Arriareos and Faluppos Two miles from the small rough Point the River Katcheo falls into the Sea Then Rio de les Iletas or The River of the small Islands and Rio Grande flowing into the Sea over against the Island Bisegos or Bigiohos More Southerly the River Danaluy discharges his Waters into the Sea the like do Nunno Tristan and Tabito or Vergas near Cape Virgen in the Kingdom of Sere-Lions or Bolmberre so passing to Rio das Piedras The River of Stone Pechel Palmas Pagone Kagranka Kasses Karokane Kaper and Tambasine Tagarim or Metombo and lastly Rio de Sere-Lions and Bangue which last disembogues his Stream on the South-side of Sere-Lions into the Sea as Metombo doth on the North. Upon the Coast of Sere-Lions divers Islands appear as the Bisegos De los Idolos or Idol-Isle Banannas or Bravas and the Sombreras between which last mention'd the Land makes a great Point call'd Furna de Sant Anna where four Rivers intermingle with the Sea from whence it is but a short passage to Cape Tagrin or Ledo the outermost Southerly Point of Serre-Lions Here begins Guinee extending all along to the Cape of Lopez Gonzalvez and the River Benin a large Maritime Countrey and divided into the Grain-Coast Tooth-Coast Quaqua-Coast Bants-Coast and Gold-Coast The first thing we meet with in Guinee worth taking notice of are the Rivers Rio das Palmas and Ria Galhinas running through the Countreys of Bolm Cilm and Quilliga where begins the Kingdom of Quoia wherein are
River De la Grace many Crocodiles breed which frequently coming on Land lye basking in the Sun but upon the sight or approach of men instantly as if afraid return into the Covert of the Water When the People which dwell on the Sea-Coasts are straitned of Provision by the scarcity of Harvest they supply themselves with Fish going with their Canoo's wherein three persons may sit out to Sea without regard of Wind or Weather ¶ LOcusts abound here in such prodigious numbers Insects flying over in June out of the North-East that they cover the Sky and darken the Sun devouring all the ripe Plants so that many In-land People starve to death and others for the preservation of their lives sell themselves to the Portugals for Slaves as it happen'd in the Year Sixteen hundred forty one Serpents breed here in too great abundance Serpents among which the most poisonous are of a Grass-green Colour others frequent the Dwellings of the People being very harmless and of great use in destroying Rats and Mice These the Negro's will not permit any to kill believing that their deceased Ancestors are metamorphosed into such and that it is fatal for any to hurt them When any is bitten with one of the venomous kind he immediately makes address to a Charmer who cures them by Inchantment But if the Witch be abroad he leaves a piece of Wood at his Door which upon touching effects the desire of the party infected Some will leap up at a man and twining round about his body girt him to death others suck the milk out of the Cows Udders and some are so prodigiously great that they can swallow a Buck whole Horns and all Here breeds a sort of Creatures call'd Leguanes which make good Food as also Efts or Lyzards which nesting in the Walls run over people when they sleep causing Boyls to rise in the places they touch Between Beyhourt Salt in the River of Zenega and the French Fort the whole ground in the bottom of the River Zenega is grown over with Salt which they break up in great pieces with Irons and dry it on the Land thus dried it grows very white and which is more that if all be taken up one day the next will afford the like quantity so that it is a perpetual Store-house of that necessary Commodity nor are the quantities small but sufficient to serve the whole Countrey whereinto 't is carried upon Camels The Profit arising hereby the King of Cayor hath bestowed on his Priests who for a Last of it which is a Camels Load take a Cape de Verde Garment and a Tub full of Mille. ¶ THe Inhabitants exceed in Blackness those that dwell on the Coast of Mina and Angola The kinds of the Inhabitants well set and keep themselves very clean by frequent Lotions and daily Washings but withall are sullen and stubborn The Men are of various dispositions and the Women light and unconstant of a craving humor affecting best where they find most advantage when they speak they thrust forward their Necks and utter their words in a furious tone In brief they are in general by nature very wanton thievish treacherous and lying esteeming it a credit ingeniously to betray unconstant beyond measure jealous and so voracious Gluttons that they may be said to devour rather than eat They have great propensity to and skill in Sorcery Their propersity to Sorcery so that they can charm Serpents as we hinted before whose venomous blood they take and mingling with the Seed of a Tree empoyson their Weapons with it whose effect is so mortal that who-ever is wounded therewith dies in half an hour They believe farther that they can bewitch any in such manner as to cause them to die of a languishing Disease The King of Ivala call'd Walla Silla as they report in eight or ten days can bring together if need require five thousand Men whereof about six hundred Horse a great many considering the whole Countrey doth not contain above fifty or sixty miles The Inhabitants of Camino are Warlike and keep themselves Neuters between the two Kings of Baool and Kayor by that means corresponding with both and suffering by neither ¶ THeir Houses are small and round running up to a Point like a Cap Their Houses within which are places raised about a Foot and a half from the Ground covered with a Matt whereon they sleep casting over them another Matt of Bull-rushes in stead of a Coverlet ¶ NEither the King of Zenega nor any other have any Wall'd Cities No Wall'd Cities in Zenega Fortifications or Palaces the best Habitations being onely round Structures made of Sticks fetcht out of the Woods about three Fathom above the Ground encompassed with a Fence of Reeds and covered with Straw having a low Door so that without stooping none can go in or out Their Houshold-stuff is onely Arms Axes to cut Wood Their Houshold-stuff an Iron Spade to throw up the Earth withall in stead of Ploughs and some Earthen Pots to which the Sea-Coasters adde Nets and other Necessaries belonging to Fishing ¶ THeir greatest Employment as to matter of getting a Livelihood Their Maintenance is Digging keeping of Cattel and Fishing some few follow Merchandizing while others busie themselves either at the Forge making Horse-shoes and Arms for the War or in Weaving in both which though their Masterpieces yet are they but mean Workmen In the Village Kandina all the Men are Fishers and the Women Merchants They live quiet but poorly and trouble themselves neither with pride They earnestly mind tilling of the Ground nor over-working themselves onely in Seed-time they go diligently to order the Ground and sow Mille whereof in three Moneths time they receive the Crop and if they prove negligent in that it turns to their great shame and disgrace for the greatest Men in the Countrey accompany their Labourers in the Field After the Mille is cut up and brought into the Barn Mille cut up how ordered by the Women the Women by stamping it in a wooden Mortar separate it from the Chaff then cleansing it in the Wind they put it in Straw Baskets of about three Fathoms wide and seven Refrisco one of the chiefest places for Trade on the Sea-Coast affords Salt-Hides but smaller and sleighter than Porto d' Ale Sanutus says that the Inhabitants about Cape de Verde Pasture so many Cattel that oftentimes whole Ships are fraighted with Hides from the Haven of Ale in exchange of other Commodities and that besides they have Ambergreece Gum-Arabick Leather Gold Silver Ivory Salt Civet and Wax In the Town of Geroep a Market is held every forty days where Cloathes Cotton Tobacco Slaves Horses Camels and other Beasts with all sort of Provisions for Food are bought The like is in Kamino where is also a continual Mart for Hides and Cloathes and commonly two Hides are given for a Bar of Iron But Christal Beads and
poisonous Beasts which dy'd through the extraordinary burning of the Sun and rotting on the Earth seems to leave some of their venom on the superficies of the ground which is wash'd off by the Rain and carried into the Water The Netherland East India Ships put sometimes in here to refresh themselves and to take in fresh Water but to the great prejudice of the Sea-men if it happen at the beginning of the Rain and while the afore-mention'd poison is in the Water moreover their greedy eating of raw Fruit there found in great plenty brings upon them many dangerous and mortal Sicknesses The Countrey is by some reputed very fruitful The Fruitfulness of the Countrey for it yields abundance of white Mille Rice and two or three sorts of Cardamoms or Grains of Paradice About the River of Serre-Lions it yields several sorts of Fruits especially Lemons a great refreshing to Seamen many wild Vines bearing good Grapes a few Oranges and some Indian Figs by the Inhabitants call'd Banamas The Islands of Sombreras produce many Oranges Lemons Citrons Palmito-Trees of several sorts which afford the Inhabitants Wine Palm-Oyl and other things but above all an excellent sort of Sope made of the Oyl and Ashes of the Palmito-Trees so much exceeding the European Sope that it is prohibited to be brought into Portugal because it should not bring down the Price of their own Here and in the neighboring Islands grow many Sugar-Canes naturally whence might be raised great Profit from the conveniency of the many adjacent Rivers where Mills might be set up to Grind them without the charge of Slaves They have also great store of Cotton red-coloured Wood vulgarly call'd Brasil better than that which comes from Brasile for it will give a tincture in Dying seven several times Besides there is a sort of Wood named Angelin fit to build Ships with and the Barque affords Materials to Caulk the Seams of Vessels and make Match for Guns The other Commodities are Wax Ivory and Long-Pepper by the Portugals call'd Pimenta del Kola and Tail-Pepper or Pimenta del Rab. Both these sorts are taken to be much better than the East-India Pepper but the King of Spain hath prohibited the Importing it into his Countrey that the Trade of East-India Pepper may not be spoiled which brings them such great Profit However the English Hollanders French and other People that Trade in this Countrey bring it over but the Portugals barter it on the Coast of Guinee in exchange for Gold Slaves Provision and other things according as the Places wherein they Trade differ or vary In Mount Makamala which we mention'd before appears Chrystal Rocks from the Skirts of whose over-shooting Edges which hang like Bases or Penthouses several Christalline Radii shoot in a Pyramidal Form with the Points pendent towards the ground within four or five foot like Isicles from the Eaves of a house which when struck yield a pleasant twang like the strings of an Instrument both to the delight and admiration of the beholders Among other Beasts found in this place there are three sorts of Monkeys Aper one call'd Baris they are strong and active and withall so sensible that being taken up young and tutor'd they are serviceable on many occasions for they go commonly on their hinder-feet and beat Mille in a Mortar fetch Water out of the River in small Cans on their heads which if they chance to let fall they squeak and cry out as afraid they also turn the Spits and do several Jugling-tricks to the great pleasure and pastime of their Masters In the Village of Serborakasa the Ships are furnish'd with all sorts of Provisions for the Land yields abundance of Cattel and Fowl The Rivers have infinite variety of good Fish and also the Sea-Coast than which Europe can boast none better ¶ THe People of Serre-Lions and the Cape of Sagre or Tagrin The Custom and Habit of the Inhabitants are rather brown than black they mark their Bodies in several places with hot Irons and in their Faces Ears and Noses having many holes wherein they place several Jewels which they call Mazubas and Gold Rings They go always naked onely upon their Pudenda they wear a Flap made of the Barks of Trees Two sorts of Negroes inhabit about Serre-Lions that is Capez Inhabitants are two sorts Capez a People of more clear spirit and judgement than those of Guinee Jaric lib. 5. cap. 4. for they easily learn what is taught them but withall are effeminate and luxurious yet of late are much improv'd in Valour and Manhood by the continual Wars they are forc'd to wage with the Kumba's their Neighbors The other are these Kumba's call'd also Manes being Anthropophagi and by consequence of nature cruel and barbarous These in the Year Fifteen hundred and fifteen invaded the Capez for Pillage but inticed by the great Fertility of the place determin'd to remain there and dispossess the other whereupon they furiously persecuted the Capez eating up whomsoever they took of them till at length as if satiated with humane bloud they sold some to the Portuguese for Slaves This their savage Tyranny so consternated the rest that to escape that Barbarity they almost totally deserted the Countrey but since by the Converse with Merchants and something softened with the pleasure of the Countrey they have left those abominable Customs and are become treatable eating Rice Mille Beans Oxen and Goats flesh In every City or Village stands a great House sever'd from the other where the young Maids have their aboad and for the space of a year are instructed by a very honourable and well accomplish'd old man sprung from a noble Stock At the end of the year they go forth all together drest up according to the best mode of the Countrey to a place where having Musick they dance in the sight of their Parents and many young men who from among them chuse one they best like to marry but before they are permitted to carry their Brides away they purchase them of their Fathers and also give a satisfactory recompence to their old and grave Instructor Their Kings are buried without the Towns in a large place erected of purpose The Funerals of the dead and cover'd over with Straw alleadging it is not fit that such should be buried in the open air who have in their life time born the publick Office of a Judge Others are buried in their Houses attired with Gold Bracelets Pendants in the Ears and Nose-Jewels Their Lamentations and Mourning are perform'd in open places according to the Rank and Quality of the Deceased The Wealth of the Inhabitants consists in Ambergreece Riches Chrystal Pearles Ivory Wax excellent Brasil-Wood long Pepper and unrefin'd Gold The Wares which the Merchants receive chiefly in Exchange of their European Commodities are Elephants-Teeth Gold and Red-Wood which last is generally bought up by the English The Countreys on the North-side of Serre-Lions have a peculiar
than from the Cape of Serre-Lions to the Cape of Lopez Gonsalvez lying about one Degree and a half South Latitude But some yet restrain it more shutting it up between which they include the before-mentioned Cape of Serre-Lions and the River of Benin GVINEA Some Geographers have attributed to Guine the Title of a peculiar Kingdom making it begin at the Gram-Coast and the River of Benin but this cannot be considering the great numbers of several Kingdoms lying between them Again others oppose that making all along upon the Sea-Coast in every eight miles a particular Territory and People to each of whom they set a peculiar King but he forsooth is no better than a Provincial The greatest part of Guine which indeed lies all upon the Sea-Coast Guine is divided into several Coasts has several Names given to it according to the various Commodities they most abound with Some divide it into six or seven Parts others into five but the best and most known Partition is into the Guinee-Coast Ivory-Coast Quaqua-Coast and Gold-Coast The Grain-Coast so call'd from Manigetta or Grain of Paradise Grain-Coast abundantly there to be had taketh beginning from Cabo de Baixos and runs two miles beyond the Palmito Gardine or Cabo de Palmas although some would have it to commence at Serre-Lions Ivory-Coast by others call'd Bad People that is Villanous Vooth-Coast beginneth near the Town Gruwa two miles Eastward of Palmito and ends at Cape de Lahoe containing a Space of fifty miles From whence to Cabo des tres Puntas or Cape Triangle they reckon Quaqua-Coast so call'd from the Cotton Cloathes which are there Traded for Quaqua-Coast but the vulgar acceptation of Quaqua takes original from the Call wherewith the Inhabitants when they come near with their Skiffs to the Merchants Ships as a token and sign of salutation and welcom cry always Quaqua For the Gold-Coast we need not seek for the reason of the Name Gold-Coast because it speaks it self 't is a large spot of Ground extending in length fifty miles from Cape Triangle to Acre though some would stretch it to Rio Volla and others yet farther even to Rio Jagos and Rio de Benni Whence this Name Guine had the first original all Geographers differ The original of the Name Guine but the greatest probability seems to bring it from the Portuguese who being the first Discoverers and finding it to lie even with the before-described Kingdom of Guine or Geneva near the River Niger gave it the same Denomination with its Neighbor In the Description of this Countrey we shall onely set down some of the chiefest and which for the variety of Plants Beasts and Customs of the Inhabitants bear some remarkable difference from others and particularly begin with that of Bolm The TERRITORY of BOLM CILM and QUILLIGA THis Countrey whose Inhabitants are call'd in their Mother-Tongue The Countrey of Bolm Bolm-Monou lies by the Sea-Coast near the River Selbore taking Name from the Prince being very low and watery from whence denominated Bolm Fourteen or fifteen miles up the River on the Left-hand appears the Village Baga Baga where the Prince resides and keeps his Court Ten or eleven miles to the South-East you come to the Province of Cilm The Countrey of Cilm whose Inhabitants are named Cilm Monou Here are seated on the Banks of the River divers good Towns with the City Quanamora containing about five thousand Families The River Selbore or Rio des Palmas the chief of this Region lying in eight Degrees North Latitude towards the Mouth divides into two Branches one running to the Westward the Inhabitants name Torro the other passing to the South the Portugals call Rio de Sante Anna. Torro twice or thrice a year hath little Water and by reason of several Islands can onely be passed with Ketches of eighteen or twenty Last and other small Passage-Boats This River with its Branches produces many amphibious Creatures In the Mouth of it lieth a great Island so made by the two fore-named Arms which from their embraces thereof on each side suddenly fall into the Sea The Island with its Point call'd Sante Anne appearing very pleasant by reason of its shady Groves the Portugals in their Sea-Cards call'd Ferula or Farillons but 't is better known to People by the Title Massokoy according to the Name of the Prince whom the King of Cabo Monte or Quoia hath made his Vice-Roy Before this Island lieth a great Shelf denominated Baxos de Sante Anne and round about it several dangerous Rocks ¶ THe Inhabitants are Blacks of the Town Quanamora The kind of Inhabitants a wicked and faithless people under pretence of Trade coming under the Ships will endeavor to sink them The Land hath Nature for a kind Mother The fruitfulness of the Countrey bearing without or at least with very little Tillage abundance of excellent Rice and other Grain besides Hens Banames Injames Potatoes Bakovers Ananasses and such like by reason of which Fertility many people flock thither to inhabit especially near the River The English have by this River in the Village Bago Their Trade many Tents wherein at certain Seasons they reside for their conveniency of dealing for Red-Wood whereof they purchase and acquire very great parcels and for that very purpose have planted several Families in the circumjacent Villages The Inhabitants of Farrillons and Massakoye Their Customs are affable and courteous behaving themselves in a very orderly manner beyond the ordinary Barbarism of the Blacks and wear a Cotton Coat down to the knees by whose example their Neighbors do the like By St. Annes Rocks Pearl-catching Pearles and Scollop-shells are taken but the Sea is so over-run with devouring Fishes that few dare adventure the catching of them Their Religion Their Religion if any is down-right Paganisme yet use they Circumcision like the Jews and Turks of which their Ignorance is not able to give any reason Having thus travell'd through Bolm and Cilm you go to Quilliga lying by Rio de Galinas The Countrey Quilliga or Hen-River thirty or two and thirty miles upward of which appears Carradobo The River of Hens whose Inhabitants are call'd Carradabo Monou as those of the former Quilliga Monou All this spreads East and by South lying very low but full of Trees having the benefits of several Rivers that water their Plains The first lying twelve miles from Rio das Palmas the Inhabitants call Maqualbary and the Portugals Galinas by reason of the great number of Hens thereabouts bred and takes its Original out of the Region of Hondo The people living on the Shore of this River speak a particular Language that seems harsh and unpleasant but when they go to Quoya Their Language or Cabo Monte to traffick they express their meanings significantly in another Tongue that runs smooth and easie either to be learnt or understood All these Countreys have particular
Lords Government but own for their Superior the King of Quoia whose Predecessors subdued them by Arms by the Assistance of the Folgia's as hereafter we shall more fully declare Fourteen miles from Rio de Galinas to the South-East appears Cabo Monte in five Degrees and three and forty Minutes North Latitude THE KINGDOM OR COUNTREY OF QUOIA THis Kingdom scituate by Cape de Monte containeth especially two Countreys viz. Vey-berkoma and Quoia-Berkoma Vey-berkoma that is the Countrey of Vey Vey-Berkoma the Antient Name of the Inhabitants is that Tract which lieth at Cape de Monte near the River Mavah below which lieth Dauwala wherein the same River Northward of the Cape hath its Exit into the Sea The Antient Inhabitants as we said Vey are by Wars reduc'd to a small number possessing onely a parcel of ruin'd Villages or Towns insomuch that their Name is almost forgotten Another People nam'd Puy-monou Puy-Monou dwelt antiently before the Wars and Conquest of the Countrey by the Karou's in the Island Boebelech and along the Banks of the River Mavah But few of this Posterity are at present to be found being for the most part by Inter-marriages with the Karou's so united as if but one in Name and Nature Quoia-Berkoma begins at the Sea-Coast of the New-River or Rio Novo Quoia-Berkoma by the Inhabitants stil'd Magwibba and extends to Rio Paulo a Boundary between this and the Territory of Gebbe shooting out into the Land above twenty miles This Kingdom boasts great numbers of Towns and Villages most of them pleasantly seated on the Banks of the River Magwibba The first appearing in five Degrees and three and forty Minutes-North Latitude Cape de Monte. by the Inhabitants is call'd Wachkongo and by the Portugals Cabo Monte although the Countrey both on the West and East is low and over-grown with Bushes This Point to Ships sayling out of the West shews its self in the shape of a Helm but coming near it appears long with a gap in the middle Westward of this is the Road where the Ships Ride that put in to trade upon this Coast Half a mile upwards from Magwibba on the left side Jegwonga stands a Village call'd Jegwonga where the King Flamboere settled his Royal Mansion when he first left Tomvy but at present he resides on the Island Massagh in the Lake Plizoge whither he retired to avoid the hazards of the people of Dogo that invaded his Territories On the other side of the River stands the fair Town Fachoo Fachoo signifying I watch the Dead which Flamboere fortifi'd and retir'd to as a place of security upon intelligence that the Land of Folgia would make War upon him though afterwards he found it but a rumor A mile and half farther up Figgia on the same side Figgia discovers its self being formerly the Dwelling of Figgi one of King Flamboere's Brothers A mile beyond that Cammagoereia on the same Shore is seated Cammagoereia and half a mile from thence the handsome Town Jerboeffaia where the Prince of Quoia who commands the Countrey round about keeps his Court opposite to this last King Flamboere about a year since began to lay the Foundations of a new Town From thence going along the Sea-Shore lie dispersed some Salt-Towns where the Inhabitants boyl Salt out of Sea-Water In the Vales of Tomvy water'd by the River Plizoge stands a great Town or Village beset with Trees sprung up out of the Rubbish of its decayed Walls From thence to Cape de Monte lye some forsaken and wasted Villages On a Branch of the River Menoch or Aguado is scituate Faly-hammaia and two miles farther another call'd Flomy-Seggaya The Region of Quoia hath the benefit of four excellent Rivers The Countrey of Quoia is watered by four Rivers the first in the West Magwibba or Rio Novo the second Mavah the third Plizoge the fourth Menoch or Aguado The River Magwibba in Summer bears two miles and a half in breadth The River Magwibba but in Winter is broader and fuller of Water It runs from the Sea up into the Land taking a North-Easterly Course up into the Countrey in the Mouth of it are so many Banks or Shelves as great Bars that make it dangerous to be passed with small Boats although the English Portuguese and French have and still venture over it in their little Skiffs As far as Davarouia it may conveniently be passed with reasonable Vessels being very deep and four hundred foot wide but above that place by the interposition of divers Rocks which cause great Water-falls there is no passing The second call'd Mavah The River Mavah or Maffah on whose Shore formerly the Puy-monou dwelt springs from a Mountain four and twenty miles within the Countrey The Channel is wide and deep making its Exit into the Sea in the broken Land of Dauwala almost a mile Northward of Wach-kongo or Cape de Monte. Between these two Rivers along the Sea-Coast here and there they say stand certain Towns where the Inhabitants make Salt The third Plizoge meets with the Sea a mile Northward of Cabo de Monte. The River Plizoge This is sometime in dry weather very empty of Water but so continues not long being soon fully replenisht Three miles from this River appears a great Lake a mile and a half broad wherein stands the Island Massagh the Courtly Residence of the present King Flamboere on whose South-side flourish many stately Palmito-Trees The fourth Menoch or Rio Aqâ—ado The River Menoch cometh out of the Countrey above the Hondous and six or seven miles Eastward of Cape de Monte poures into the Sea It is a deep and wide River yet unpassable because of several Water-falls Cliffs and Shelves of Sand that choak it It hath on both sides Red-wood Trees Having thus given you the Scituations of Towns and Rivers in this Kingdom we will now proceed to describe the Vegetables or Plants Beasts and then the Customs or Manners of the People but by the way in regard Gala-Vy Hondo Konde Quoias Manou and Folgia lying round about participate of the same qualities with Karou already mention'd or at least with very small difference we will give you a cursory glimpse of these in particular and then carry on our intended method Gala-vy a member of Quoia shews the original source of Mavah Gala-vy near a great Wood of eight or ten days Journey in length It bears the Names of Gala-vy from its Inhabitants sprung at first from Galas but being driven out of their Countrey by the People of Hondo sought new Habitations in those places whence they were neither call'd Vy as those with whom they intermixt nor Galas their old Name but Gala-Vy that is half Galas and half Vy On the Borders of Hondo and Manoe beyond the fore-mention'd great Wood dwell the right Galas who are under the Jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Manoe and have a Prince
entituled Gallafally The next is Hondo inhabited by the Hondo-Monou Hondo scituate by the side of this Wilderness more North-Easterly then Gala-vy and contains within it the peculiar Lordship of Dogo Neighboring to these dwell the Konde-Quoia's or High-Quoia's Konde-Quoias that differ in Speech from the Maritime Quoia's Afterwards you arrive at the Kingdom of Folgia and Manou or Manoe Folgia and Manou which last is a Potent State holding in subjection most of the Countrey round about two small Rivers encompass it viz. Rio Junk and Arverado the former Folgia East and by North above Rio Junk the dividing limit between them which with the other in about five Degrees North Latitude pour into the Sea Karou whose Inhabitants took their Name from Karou-Monou The Countrey Karou is a peculiar Territory now included in Folgia by Conquest but heretofore had a Prince of their own and a Countrey large and free from any slavish yoke At the Coast of Cape Saint Anne and along to Cabo Monte and Cabo das Palmas The Winter-Season the Rain begins with May and continues to October during which time they have great and terrible Thunder and Lightning with furious North-Westerly Gusts of Wind however this continual Showering so fills and pinguifies the before-cleft and parched Earth as adapts it for the bearing of Rice and other Fruits and Grains for the whole face of the Ground is covered with Water that there can be no stirring for common converse except in Boats During this time also the Sea sets hard all along the Shore towards the North-East so that Ships which between July and September happen to fall below Cape de Monte can very hardly and not without great labour get about to the South Besides this Race makes mountainous Billows roll to the Shore so that it is in effect impossible to approach the same in Boats without danger of splitting There blows also upon this Coast a Land and Sea-Wind the first begins after midnight and continues till high-Noon the last rises after two and holds till Midnight But these Seasons once over from October to May the Weather proves pleasant and dry till endammaged by the fiery heat of the scalding Air. ¶ QUoia Berkoma Plants with the adjacent Fields are by the before-mention'd Rains so impregnated that they produce all sorts of Grain and Plants in great abundance Bonde for first there grows a great Tree call'd Bonde in height exceeding all other Trees in the Wood and scarce fathomable by six or seven Men the Bark full of great Thorns the Wood soft of which they make Canoos Stools Spoons and Dishes the Roots lying generally four or five Foot above the Earth they cut out into Planks and Boards for Doors to their Houses and many other uses with the Branches and young Sprouts Hedging the Towns because being stuck into the Ground they grow and make a Quickset-Fence the refuse of the Wood they burn and with the Ashes make a lixiviated Liquor which boyled up with old Oyl of Palm makes an excellent and very useful Sope. The Tree Bassi grows high Bassi and two or three fathom thick having a Russet-Bark which they use in Dying to give a Russet-brown Tincture as of the Trunk they make Boats and such like Utensils Kaey is also thick and high Kaey of whose hard Wood being not apt to rot they also make Canoos but the Barks and Leaves for their Medicinal Vertues they use in Physick Billegoh Billegoh a tall thick Tree whose Wood exceeds that of most Trees in hardness and of notable use in Physick The Bossy hath a dry Bark Bossy and soft Wood like the Bonde yielding also a kind of Pot-Ashes and bearing yellow Fruit good to eat and tart in taste The Mille shoots very high Mille. the Wood soft the Root like the Bonde growing above the Ground the Blacks use it in charming Potions The Borrouw grows but to an ordinary height and bigness Borrouw but upon the Bark stick crooked Thorns like the Talons of a Fowl these being chopt yield a yellowish white Juyce the like do the thick Leaves beaten and pressed which taken inwardly is an effectual Purge and so certainly good that 't is commonly used when other Remedies will not work The Wood is damp and unfit either for Service or Fewel Mammo a thick and high Tree bears a Fruit white within and of a tart taste Mammo much us'd in Physick and buried under the earth remains good a whole year Quony a high and thick Tree with a rough Bark which they use in Philters or other charming Potions mixed with water they make mortars of the wood Quony because tough and not easily split wherein they stamp Rice It bears a venomous Excrescence full of Juyce wherein the Blacks dip their Arrows that from thence contract a mortal Poyson Hoquella rises to a great heighth bearing Shell-Fruit a foot and a half long Hoquella inclosing flat Beans the Bark and Leaves have a Physical Quality and therefore in much use But the Ashes of the Shells burnt make a most useful Lye Domboch bears Fruit pleasant and frequently eaten The Bark bruised Domboch and the Juice mixt in a convenient Vehicle makes an Excellent Purgative Medicine but the wood they convert into Boats Sugar-chests and such like Kolach a Tree of ordinary size bears Fruit like Plumbs Kolach very agreeable to the Palate whose Bark also is of use in Physick Bongia rising to a more than common size and bigness Bongia of no use but in the Bark and that onely for Physick and to give a yellow tincture in Dying Duy in Growth like the former produces round Apples Duy a profitable and wholesome Food both to man and beast The Bark steeped in Wine and other Drinks make them great Cordials The Bark of Niaukony tastes hot in the mouth like Pepper Niaukony and hath won the esteem of a more than common Remedy in many Diseases The Palmito-Trees grow here frequently which young are call'd Quan Palmito-Tree have many branches with long thorns and small long Leaves which hatchel'd serves them in stead of Hemp to make Nets and Ropes grown up to the heighth of a man it bears a kind of Nuts which are as big as Olives of which the Palm-Oyl is made When it is shot up forty or fifty foot high and proportionally large the branches fall off so that it stands naked like a Maste onely with Branches and Leaves at the top the undermost by degrees still falling off while upwards new ones grow thus full grown it is call'd Tongoo and when very old affords Wine Oyl and Hemp in one year This Wine which the Blacks call Mignoll they draw out by boaring a hole in the body of the Tree where the Leaves at first began to sprout out of which the Wine distills into a Pot or Pitcher hanging on a hook in colour it resembles
and kill him The flesh of this Creature the Blacks account good Food ¶ NOr are Beasts Insects and Reptiles onely found here but Fowls also of divers kinds particularly Qualontia being of a large size Eagle and very strong remaining most in the Woods and feeding upon the flesh of Civet-Cats and other Beasts and roosting commonly in the high Tree call'd Banda The Bastard-Eagle which they name Quolantia Clou Bastard-Eagle keeps most at the Water-side preying on Fish which swimming near the surface of the water he takes in an instant The Buzzard or Kite call'd Simby Kite feasts it self with the flesh of all other smaller Birds The Poi also a Bird of Prey Poi and accordingly arm'd with crooked Talons frequents the Sea-shore and feeds upon Crabs which with great cunning and diligence it catches Blue Parrots with red Tails are numerous roosting on the Palmeto-Trees Parrots and eating the Nuts The Comma hath great variety of fine Feathers green about the Neck Comma red Wings black Tails crooked Bills and Claws like a Parrot There is a Bird in bigness like a Thrush with black feathers Prognosticating Birds call'd Clofyf by them call'd Clofyf who as they say by the difference of his chattering prognosticates either good or bad luck insomuch that when any travel through the Woods if they hear this Bird cry about them Kybo fy offygh they take that for an ill Omen and will by no means go any farther that day On the contrary if their Journey shall be prosperous and this Bird cries in another manner which they expound Forward go on in the Folgiaske Tongue they no longer despair but proceed forward in their Journey so soon as possible They repute him an ominous and unlucky Bird and say that the Kigbofy hath sung his Song over all those that die an evil death He keeps most in places where Pismires frequent which are his principal food There is another little Bird like a Lark Fonton call'd Fonton who having found in the Woods a Buffel or Elephant or Honey in a Tree or a Tyger or Snake or any thing else whether good or bad immediately flies towards the people fluttering about them and making a noise with his wings whereupon they follow him saying Tonton kerre Tonton kerre that is We come Then he flies forward chirroping till come to the thing he would show But if they do not follow him nor regard his noise he never rests flying backward and forward till perceiving the unmindful Travellers approach near what he would discover he perches upon a tree by which sudden settling they know they are not far from something he would shew to them There are also Swallows Swallows which they call Lele or Lele-atterecna that is Day-Swallows to distinguish them from Bats which they call Lele-Sirena that is Night-Swallows The Blacks report that they have another sort of Swallows which they stile Tonga of the bigness of Pigeons but without any resemblance of the other Their Flesh proves good meat of which there is no scarcity being so numerous that sometimes sitting upon trees in flocks their great weight tears down whole branches as big as a mans leg There is yet another Bird like a Wood-pecker The Fowl which picks the Trees hollow who with his Bill makes a concave hole in trees and in that hollow breeds the young of which the Blacks relate this following story This Bird they say complained in antient times to Kanou that the people stole away his Young where ever he made his Nest desiring Kanou that for the future he would smother them when they committed such theft Whereto Kanou seem'd by promise to consent but enjoyn'd that in regard the huge trees would hinder the fall of the Heavens he first cut them down and then by weight of their fall upon the earth he would certainly smother the people There are many Turtle-Doves Turtle-Doves and Pigeons which they call Papoo and three sorts of Partridges or Pheasants with speckled feathers The first call'd Bollend hath a tuft on his head the second Kambyge bald and without feathers the third Decedeu hath black feathers mixt with small white specks and a white neck Cufonfoo is a Bird as big as a Raven Cufonfoo with black feathers and a very long and broad Bill making the Nest of earth in the Trees when the Hen sits she pulls off all her feathers to lay the young ones in and remains sitting without any going off being daily fed by the Cock that flies abroad for food There are many Tigua or Cranes Cranes which the Inhabitants of Cape de Verde call Aqua-piaffo Doco Doco a very great Fowl frequenting Moors and Marishy Grounds as wholly living on Fish Jowe Jowe a small Bird no bigger than a Linnet drops her Eggs by the way-side All these together with white and blew Herons except the Jowe Funtan and Kigbofy are by them eaten Bees in this Countrey call'd Kommokesse are not kept as in Europe Hiv'd and Hous'd but swarm as it were wild in the Woods Nesting in hollow Trees by which half the Honey is not found The Bremsems or Wasps here call'd Quun-bokessy come into the very Houses but yield no Honey but if disturb'd sting venomously insomuch that the place stung swells up with great pain Besides these they tell of a third and smaller sort of Bees than the right sort of Honey-Bees but swarm and Nest like them in Trees making Honey rancker or sharper of taste than the other brown of colour and the Wax blackish the Inhabitants name them Cubolig-boli Mescito's are here in such abundance and so plague the People that it is impossible almost to sleep or take any rest for them In the time when it rains which is about May June July August Crickets and September some Crickets call'd Gelleh fall among them from the Clouds as the Blacks themselves report which are bigger than other Crickets and afford them food Thus much we have thought fit to say concerning the Plants and Beasts we will now shew you the Employment Customs and Nature of the Inhabitants and what else relates to them ¶ THe Quoia's have no Trade The Quoia's are diligent in Tilling but maintain themselves with Sowing of Mille and Rice and by the planting other Herbs and Fruits for the Countrey being large and more than two thirds untill'd and woody every one may manure what he thinks fit and cut down as much Wood as he pleaseth After a Place hath been once Sown they let it lie Fallow two or three years till the Earth which they suppose impoverished by bearing hath recovered a new vigor by lying uncultured yet notwithstanding the before-mention'd liberty for the encouragement of such as take pains no person may Sow in a Field which hath been Ploughed by another In the middle of January or in the beginning of February The first Planting of Rice they begin first to order the
Corpse and draw the Bowe-string as far as they can to signifie that they would fight against his Enemy and if he were slain in the Wars or kill'd by any malicious Person they would with such force take vengeance And lastly a Man or a Woman is left by the Corpse to keep it and take care to beat away the Flies and Vermine which otherwise might annoy the body When the nearest Relations have finish'd their Ceremonies and come from the house immediately some Women of her Acquaintance apply themselves to the Widow to lament and condole with her and falling down at her feet use these words Bqun e Bqun e that is Be comforted or Cease your lamentation After the accomplishment of these sorrowful Complaints the men carry the Corpse upon a Biere to the Grave commonly made near the Sepulchres of their Ancestors in some Tombouroi or desolate Village and there inhume it not above knee-deep casting into the Ground after him Mats Kettles Basons Beads or what other Wealth he possest himself with or was presented after his death and then fill up the Hole with Earth covering it over with a painted Mat fasten'd with Pins and an Iron close by setting up a Pole whereon if it be a Mans Corpse they hang his Clothes and Arms in the manner of a Trophy but if it were a Woman some Pewter Porringers or Dishes are made fast with a Pin to the Ground And with all convenient speed the Friends erect a Hut over the Grave as a defence from the Rain and also for a Monument that their Memories may not altogether be forgotten The Kings Kindred are buried in an Island call'd Masach lying in a Lake belonging to the River Plizoge where King Flans-Sire Father of the present Reigning King Flambore in his life kept his Royal Seat and now lies Entomb'd If any of the Friends have been absent or in a Journey upon his return he comes to the House of the Deceas'd though it be two or three moneths after and falling down at the feet of the nearest Kinsman to the Deceas'd bewails his loss If he meets any of his Acquaintance of the near Friends to the Deceas'd he embraces him and salutes him with these words Clau e Clau e that is Lament Lament and then talk together of their Affairs When any Nobleman dies one or two of his Slaves or Slavesses are put to death at the Grave to be his Attendants in the Elizian Fields others wait at the Grave to whom the Friends of the Dead carry Presents of Bracelets Beads Coral Rice Tobacco the Fruit Kola and a Hen boil'd with Rice which they may dispose as they please Though this destroying and killing of Slaves and Slavesses was an old Custom here yet it is not much practis'd of late and those of the Slaves that can run away or defend themselves with weapons in their hands are free Therefore when an Eminent Person is dying all his Slaves get away where they cannot be found though the danger of their Lords Death is conceal'd as much as possible The Run-away-Slaves when they come again are rail'd at and upbraided with these or such like words You will eat of your Lords Cost but not die with him who excuse themselves saying Life is sweet and no man would willingly leave or have it taken away against his will The chiefest of the Friends at the beginning of the Mourning make a Vow of Abstinence swearing by a holy Token which they call Bolly-Gowe with lifting up of hands that they will keep it for a common Person eight or ten days and for a Lord a moneth or longer in which time they may not eat any Rice nor drink out of any whole Vessel or Cup but onely out of a Potsheard or a little hole made in the ground neither do the Men sleep with their Wives nor may wear any Painted or Colour'd Clothes but onely Black or White cut with flashes shaving their Hair and sleep upon the bare ground When the time is expired they come to the Bolly-Gowe and discharge themselves with up-lifted Hands from the aforesaid Promise and Vow with assurance that they have kept the same Lastly a Funeral-Banquet is prepared for which the Women boyl Rice and the Men go into the Woods a Hunting and bring home what they catch which they boyl and eat and so the whole Ceremony concludes Those that have fasted are gratifi'd with Presents every one according to his quality that is common persons one with a Bason another with a little Garment or Salt-Basket or a piece of Iron or Mat but persons of account with a Staff Iron or other Goods which with them are highly esteemed If the acquaintance of the Deceased have any suspicion that he died not a natural Death they neither wash the Dead nor lament till the doubt be resolved for they say if any should mourn before it would be impossible to bring to light the guilty person because the Spirit of Envy over-hearing it would not give any intimation of it The Enquiry is performed in thismanner They take the Corps or in stead of that a piece of his Cloathes with pairings of his Nails and some of his Hair sewing it up like a Pudding mixed with scrapings of Bondu or red Dying-wood this Roll they put into a Mortar where they stamp it Then two eloquent Men are elected who stand with two Iron Bills or Halberds before the Staff-bearers and clashing their Bills ask the Dead what he died of and whether God took him away or no if yea then the Staff-bearers nod as if they were half asleep but if not they shiver and shake In like manner they do upon the other Question of Who did it Where is he and In what manner was it done At length they receive answer that he died a violent Death being kill'd by some Bolly for Bolly is with them all manner of Medicinal Herbs but the Herb that is venomous or poysonous is call'd Sovach But if Bolly hath kill'd him then the Names of most Physical Herbs are recited till they have found which of them was used concluding however at last that Sovach hath kill'd him Then is asked whether he was kill'd by a Man or a Woman and at last is asked concerning the place of his dwelling and person The guilty person being found immediately they are chained to a great Block and asked if he or she will acknowledge the Fact If they can be brought to no acknowledgment then is given to them Quony or else upon acknowledgment of the Fact are cruelly put to death This Quony is a Rind or Bark of a Tree so call'd which in the presence of Friends by the suspected person is pull'd off that the Sap or Juice may be used without any deceit The outermost scurf of the Bark they pare off and beat in a Mortar with Water which after the setling affords a very tart Juice of which they give to those that are taken three or four Kalabasjes
where some few Houses are erected From hence all Ships that arrive there plentifully furnish themselves both with fresh Water and Wood. Next in order comes the high Point Cabo das Palmas or Cape Palm Cape de Palm in four Degrees and fifteen Minutes North Latitude on whose Westerly Corner are three round Hills and a little farther within Land a round Grove of Palm-Trees which may be seen far at Sea from whence this Point took the Name of Cabo das Palmas Near to this in Sandy-Bay arriving Ships finde a convenient Harbour A mile Easterly of which up into the Countrey appears a long Mountain looking like double Land From the first Point of Palm Cape a ledge of Rocks shoot South South-East a mile into the Sea and before them a great Shelf two miles long between them the Tide runs very strong to the East having ten or eleven fathom Water Two miles more Eastward Gruway the Village Gruway stands seated at the end of the Grain-Coast This whole Shore is very full of Rocks for which reason the Ships which Ride there are in no little danger In February March and April here is fair and clear Weather with cooling Breezes and gentle Westerly Winds In the middle of May there begin South and South-East Winds The Air. which bring with them not onely stormy Gusts as Hericanes but also Thunder Lightning and great Rains that continue June July August September October November December and to the latter end of January During part of this time the Sun being in the Zenith or Vertical Point of the Heavens sends down its Beams perpendicular The Land here yields great plenty of Mille Cotton Rice Grain of Paradise or Melegette good Palmeto-Wine besides divers sorts of Grain especially that call'd of Paradise or Melegette The Plant that bears Melegette hath thick Leaves better than three inches long and three broad with a thick rib in the middle out of which shoot many Veins which have a Spicie-taste like those of the Seed The Fruit is but little of size cover'd with a poisonous tough Russet-colour'd or rather Pale-brown Shell and under that a Film fill'd with many smooth and pointed small Seeds white within biting as Pepper and Ginger The unripe Grains are red and pleasant in taste The greatest smoothest and Chess-nut-colour'd are the best and the blackest the worst No kind of Beasts are here wanting by which means there is all necessary Provision to be had for Seamen The Blacks in these Parts are very envious to all Strangers The kind of the Inhabitants and steal from them what ever they can lay their hands on so that it behoves all Dealers to have a circumspect eye over their Goods And in some places they must be careful of themselves for being Cannibals they eat whomsoever they can get into their power 'T FORT TACARAY ofte WITSEN and about half flood a fathom and a half deep but within very dry and narrow that it gives little advantage either to the Natives or Seamen At the West-side of it rises a Rocky and steep Hill full of Brambles and Trees but on the East-side a Sandy Bank by which as it were split it runs in two small Vills one to the North-west into the Countrey and the other North-east but as we said both dry and not Navigable Near St. Andrew's River the Sea-Coast bellies out to the South-east as far as the Red-Land Between the fourth and fifth Cliff some high Trees grow in a Valley whose edge is remarked with two little Vills the one named Tabattera the other Domera Having left behind you the Red Cliffs you come to Cape La-Hou Cape de Labou the utmost limit of this and the beginning of Quaqua-Coast which spreads it self to Assine the whole Land hereabouts low and poor over-grown with Brambles and Trees yet a mile and a half Eastwards lyeth a Village call'd Koutrou Koutrou or Katrou Five miles from this Cape stands the Village Jakke La-Hou in a very barren spot five miles farther Jak in Jakko and six miles beyond that the Bottomless-pit so call'd from its unfathomable deepness for the Seamen having Sounded with their longest Lines and Plummet could never reach the bottom This Hole is in the Sea not above a Musquet-shot from the Shore so that the Ships which come about this Pit must come to an Anchor betimes to prevent danger Three miles from this Pit on the Shore runs a small River Eastward into the Countrey From Cape de La-Hou to the aforesaid Pit the Coast spreads Eastwardly with double Land Sixteen miles Eastward bi La-Hou takes place Corbi Labou before which the Sea runs very deep for a stones cast from the Shore it has forty and fifty Fathom water Eight and twenty or thirty miles from the Cape La-Hou Assine is seated the Village Assine where the Guinny-Gold-Coast begins full of high Woods but the Land low the houses such as they are stand on the Sea-shore so that they may easily be seen in the passing by Two miles from Assine stands a Hamlet call'd Abbener or Albine Albine a little to the West of a four-square Wood. Then follows in order Taboe and two miles farther Cape Apolony Taboe being a rising ground and seeming to Sailers like three great Hills In Jernon a little Village scituate on the side of this Promontory the Netherlanders have a Storehouse All along this whole Coast grow many Palm-Trees nor is it destitute of other Conveniences yielding extraordinary variety both of Fruits and Plants The Inhabitants as we mention'd before are call'd Quaqua's because when they see any Trading-Ships approach they declare their welcome by crying aloud Quaqua These People by their Aspect seem the unseemliest of all the upper Coast but are indeed the modestest and honestest and most courteous for they esteem it a great shame either at meeting to Salute or at parting to take leave with a Kiss When they come to the Ships to Trade they put their Hands in the Water and let some drop into their Eyes by which they testifie as by an Oath their uprightness and hatred to all Cheatings or Knavish actions Drunkenness they not onely abstain from They shun Drunkenness but abominate for the avoiding which they will drink no Palmito-Wine but a smaller sort call'd De Bordon or Tombe and that also mixt with Water alledging that from Drunkenness proceed many Quarrels the two frequent occasions of Murders and other inconveniencies which are all prevented by Sobriety and Temperance The chief Merchandise to be had here Merchandise are Elephants-Teeth of a larger size than usually elsewhere but withall dearer Some Cloathes also sold here which the Europeans and other Traders from the Name of the Coast call Quaqua-Cloathes being of two sorts the one bound with five Bands or Strings the other with six from the number of the bindings giving denominations to the Places they are sold in Cape Lahou yields many of
a Trench over against the Town Myne by the Inhabitants call'd Dana cut out of the Rocks being enough to contain a thousand Pipes or more whereinto all the waste water falling from the two beforemention'd places and from the Souldiers Courts of Guard gathereth together This Trench without doubt cost the Portugals a very tedious and heavy labour By this water drawn from hence the Inhabitants are furnish'd as also the King of Fetu with his Army when in War supply'd and now accommodates the Dutch with marvellous plenty The conveniencies for Merchandise Provision of Food necessary Ammunition for Wars and other Commodities are in great abundance within this Fort for that the Ships coming out of the Countrey readily unload and go back again there being a Key for Landing or Shipping of all sorts of Commodities at a Water-Gate made for that purpose The Dutch suffer'd great prejudice so long as the Portugal's possess'd this Fort because they endeavour'd by all means to hinder their Trade with the Blacks whereupon they consulted and design'd to get it from them yet always were frustrated in their attempts till the year Sixteen hundred thirty and seven at which time the Castle was in a mean condition by reason of great disagreement among the Portugal's Then the General of Guinea and Angola being acquainted by the Kaboseroe's or Chief people of the Myne that the time was to undertake somewhat about it This Intelligence he communicated by Letter to the Commissioners of the West-India Company who provided nine Ships well Man'd Arm'd and Victual'd which in the Year Sixteen hundred thirty seven the Five and twentieth of July under Collonel Hans Koin went forth from Farnambuck to the African Coast and soon arriv'd there in safety whereof he sent notice to General Yperen who resided in the Town Moure two miles lower by Letter to this effect That he was there by Command of Grave Maurice and the Council furnish'd with Souldiers to undertake the Enterprise He desir'd therefore to know where was a fit place to Land upon the Enemies Quarters and to advise with him in what manner the Enterprise might be prudently accomplish'd That he would endeavour to win the Blacks with all possible Perswasions great Promises and Rewards to assist the Company and withal would watch the English who lay upon the Road and labour to prevent all other Impediments That they must keep all secret that the Enterprise might not be disappointed and in the interim he would be upon the Road before Albine or Assine to expect an Answer While thus Koyn ply'd upon the Coast the Negroes come with eighteen Canoo's to his Fleet and ask for Netherlandish Merchandise to barter for Elephants-Teeth But when 't was answer'd they had no Wares the Blacks began greatly to doubt but the Dutch to assure them friendship according to the custom of the Countrey let some drops of Sea-water fall into their eyes wherewith for the present satisfi'd they departed At length the Fleet appearing before Albine and Assine the Blacks came again with their Canoo's to Trade but our men put them off with delays for three or four days whereupon the Blacks said that these of Fetisson had understood by their Guardian God that seven bigger Ships were at hand at whose coming their Wares would fall in Price Koin who little regarded that and had somewhat else in his mind wrote Letters again almost of the same Contents whereto for answer he receiv'd Orders to remove with his Fleet before Commendo which was speedily perform'd and immediately inquiry made for the fittest place to Land to this purpose they sent out a Scout who returning brought intelligence that there was no Landing between the Myne and Cape de Kors but onely a Musquet-shot from the Myne where the Salt-River at low Water was not knee deep that the Mountain of St. Jago might be easily attempted with small Shot and that the Line was unfit to be long defended That the fresh River which lay about half a mile from the Myne had excellent Water and that the way from Cape de Kors to the Myne was very fit to March on in good order with the Souldiers After much courting at length and opening to them their whole design they gat the Youths of Commendo with Gifts and promises to furnish them with Water and other Provision whereupon on the Four and twentieth of August they went off to Cape de Kors They land at Cape de Kors and there Landed with great Canoo's and on the Twenty fifth day being Tuesday drew in good order to the Myne being about eight hundred Land-Souldiers and Five hundred Mariners drawn up in three Companies Coming about Noon to the fresh River the Souldiers rested and refresh'd themselves some Scouts were sent for discovery who brought intelligence that they discern'd about a thousand Blacks lye at the hanging of a Hill who having discover'd pursu'd them with a great cry upon this were sent out four Musquetteers who venturing too far were lost and their heads by the Blacks according to the manner of the Countrey cut off and carried in triumph But a greater force falling in soon put them to flight and possess'd the Hill whence the other were driven On Wednesday the six and twentieth those of Commendo drew our Mariners to the Town of Myne which they assaulted and took all their Cattel The Commander in Chief bending his whole thoughts to take the Castle caus'd in this interval two Passages to be made by cutting up the Bushes on the Mountain St. Jago the one leading towards the Shore by which to bring the Ammunition for the Souldiers and the other upon the top of the Mountain near the Fort. On Thursday were brought two Pieces of Ordnance with a Mortar-Piece to Mount St. Jago with which they made eight or ten Shot besides as many Granadoes but they fell short whereas by the shooting of the Enemy from the Castle two Centinels were kill'd Then the Negroes of Commendo approached towards the Town of Myne but driven back by the Enemies great Shot The Castle Summon'd quickly retreated Hereupon the Commander sent a Drummer to summon the besieg'd to surrender to which the Governor return'd That it was not in his power to consent without conferring with the Commanders of the Army and the Citizens and requir'd three days time but that was deni'd granting onely to the next day however nothing was then done for the Governor of the Fort the day being spent held the Gates shut and would not admit the Drummer Then the Forces from Mount St. Jago making a fierce Attacque though with little Success and battering with their Cannon a Messenger came forth requiring the Letter sent before by the Drummer but that was deni'd Whereupon after a short Consultation Messengers were sent to treat of an Agreement during which Treaty the Blacks of Commendo were requir'd to lay down Arms and to use no force to the Husbandmen of the Myne The Articles offer'd by the
Garrison were refus'd Articles of Agreement but those accepted that the Beleaguerers propos'd being to this effect They shall all with their Wives and Children without reproach or abuse go forth safe with Life and Limb. Every one shall take their Apparel but no Money either Gold or Silver The Victor shall retain all the Merchandise and Slaves except twelve which the owners may keep All the Church-Ornaments and Utensils except of Gold and Silver they shall take away with them The Portugals Mulattoes and all their Housholds provided with necessary Sustenance shall be carried to the Island St. Thome The Governor of the Fort and Souldiers shall forthwith depart out of the Fort and leave all the Ammunition for War and the rest of the Merchandise to the Victor The Souldiers shall depart without Colours or Sword and neither have lighted Match nor Bullets Thus was this renowned Castle won and lost in four days The Booty The Booty of Ammunition and Arms found therein were thirty Iron Pieces of Ordnance nine thousand weight of Spice eight hundred great Iron Balls ten Fat 's of small Bullets and three hundred Stone Bullets six and thirty Spanish Swords besides Bowes Arrows and other Utensils of War As soon as the Garrison was drawn out and come over to the Island St. Thomas the Dutch took possession with an hundred and forty Men. A former attempt had been made against this Castle but succeeded unluckily the manner this The Dutch Admiral with his Fleet on the six and twentieth of August The fruitless attempt upon the Castle of Myne One thousand six hundred twenty five came into Serre-Lions to refresh his Men being most of them sick of the Bloody-Flux where he found three other Ships who had lay'n there two Moneths undergoing great Misery Sickness and other Calamities The People of both the Parties being refreshed and cured determined to win the Castle of Myne being about fifteen Ships and Ketches with which they set forth the five and twentieth of September from Serre-Lions and were the ninth of October upon the Grain-Coast between Rio St. Paulo and Rio Junk in five Degrees and an half North Latitude where they sent a Ketch to the General for the Netherlands West-India Company at Moure to acquaint him with their coming and that they intended to come with their Fleet before Kommony and to Land there Being come on the twentieth of the same Moneth before Kommony The coming to Kommany they understood that the General was gone to Akra the uttermost place of the Gold-Coast and not expected back again for three or four days This delay the Admiral and his Council of War thought would give too fair opportunity to the Enemy and therefore resolved to Land the Soldiers but this resolution was deferr'd by advice of those of the Fort of Nassau till the coming of the General because of his great Interest with the Kings of Fetu Sabou and Kommony in whose Favour much did consist But immediately after his arrival which was on the four and twentieth it was concluded the next day to go on with the Design Four Ships therefore were order'd to lie close before the Castle of the Myne to amuse the Enemy by continual Shooting for three days They Land at Terra Pekine till the other Soldiers might in the mean time draw up without interruption The five and twentieth they Land in Terra Pekine about twelve hundred Soldiers and Mariners with an hundred and fifteen Blacks brought from Maure with the General who about Noon came within a mile of the Castle of Myne and from thence after two hours rest drew within shot of it where they were saluted presently with some great Guns but without hurt and so sate down before the Castle behind a Hill with resolution that night to Entrench and make their Approaches In the mean time while the General went to the pitch of the Hill to view the Castle the Soldiers being tir'd with heat and thirst ran from their Arms and gat themselves to rest without suspicion of any Enemy Were fallen upon by the Enemy but as soon as the Commanders were come upon the top of the Mountain they were unawares fall'n upon by about two hundred Blacks who like mad furious Men fell in and made great slaughter and destruction amongst them which bred such a terrour and consternation amongst them that they threw away their Arms and leaping into the Water were drown'd There remained slain The number of the slain together with those that were drown'd three hundred seventy three Soldiers sixty six Mariners and most of the superior and inferior Officers The General wounded the General himself wounded came to extream distress and carried out of the Fight the rest fled to Kommany whither also the Ships steered their course and by this means was that Design utterly overthrown But now we return to the remainder of the precedent success Presently after the taking of this Castle the Victors sent a Canoo with Letters to the Portugal Governor of Atzin thereby requiring him to surrender that Place But he well knowing they could not come up to him in that season of the year answer'd That he would keep the Fort for the King and expect our Forces Then by advice of the whole Council of War the Redoubt upon St. Jago was repair'd as also a Battery that was fall'n adjoining to the Works of the Castle from whence they may scowre the Shore of the River and relieve the Sea-Battery On the West-side of the Castle stands a pretty large Town The Town Myna at the Myne close built by the Portugals call'd Del Myn but by the Blacks Dana or Dang extending far in length but lieth so low that at a Spring-Tide the Sea in some places runs through the Streets And on the other side runs the Salt-River Benja which not onely hinders the passage out of the Town but makes the adjacent Countrey very Moorish This River formerly was ten or eleven Foot deep at low Water but now so shallow that it is not passable for Ketches which draw four Foot Water This Town is naturally very strong being as we said shut up between the River and the Sea so that the Enemy hath no other approach than at the end of Kommany where the Portugals as a Security from the Blacks had rais'd a Stone-wall from the Sea to the River and made a Battery About half a mile from St. The River Vtri Jago floweth the River Utri but full of Cliffs and altogether unpassable yet affords this Commodity that not onely the Blacks from the Town daily fetch thence their Water but also the Ships there being within two miles no Springs to be found The Countrey hereabout yields little Fruit The constitution of the Countrey therefore most of their Food is Mille to make Bread of Safoe or Wine of Palms Sugar Ananae's Injame's Potatoe's Wine of Bordean are brought to them from Fetu Abrembe Commendo Akane
bold Fowls by reason they are seldom shot or catcht some bearing the same shape with those of Europe other differing and strange As first blew Parrots which taken young out of their Nest learn much better to speak than such as have flown Wild but they never learn to Speak so plain as the green Brasilian Parrots There are also a kind of Green Birds with Orange Spots on their Bills and long Tails which the Blacks call Ahuront and we Paraketo's Paraketo's and another like the former somewhat bigger and of a Blood-red Colour with a black Spot on their Bills and a black Tail A kind of Gold-Finch yellow Body'd Breeds here likewise but for fear of the Serpents and other venemous Beasts build their Nests on slender Boughs of high Trees In the Fields amongst the Mille Nest a sort of Bull-Finches which the Blacks put alive in their Mouths and eat with the Skin and Feathers on so Sparrows also and many other small Birds There are other Birds like Cranes with a head like a Turky-Cock but so mischievously devouring that the Blacks to prevent their coming down carry them Food to the Mountains they continually dabble in the Dirt and all manner of noisome Filth that they stink even at a distance as bad as the most loathsome Carrion Also Water-Snipes Turtle-Doves with a black Ring on their Necks Pheasants Spotted with white but the Flesh unsavoury and Peacocks in shape like ours but with some difference of Feathers The Bird Pettoir the Blacks look upon as a great Presager of good or ill Fortune and therefore esteem it much The Cranes Hearons Storks Crows and Lapwings differ not much from those with us onely the Crows are Parti-colour'd such as we have in England about Royston and therefore styl'd Royston-Crows Owls Batts Gnats and great black Pismires that make holes in the earth like Field-Mice and do much hurt to Bees which they rob both of Honey and Wax Land-Crabbs or Tortoises by them call'd Bonzeronzes of a Purple Colour Land-Crabs or Lobsters which keep under ground like Moles they eat with delight as a most desirable Dainty Serpents and Adders of an extraordinary magnitude are found here Serpents using both the Land and Water having a Belly and Mouth so big that they can swallow Hens and Geese whole Some of the Negro's think their flesh fit to be eaten but how it nourishes their Diseases caus'd by such foul Feeding give the best account Sometimes these Countries are plagu'd with Locusts Locusts or Grashoppers which come flying out of Arabia in such numerous Shoals They spoil the Fruits of the Field as cloud the Sun and where they fall eat up all they find whether Corn Grass or Fruits which certain hazard makes the People so careless and unconcern'd for the future that they never lay up any Store of Corn but Sow and Plant onely so much as they guess they may spend in the whole Year Divers Villages lying near the Sea Salt have Salt-Pans as Antin Labbede Sinko and others but the best are at Antin and Sinko from whence carry'd thorow the whole Countrey to be sold They make their Salt very Fine and White How it is made and with little trouble by reason it needs to be but once boyl'd When made ready in manner aforesaid they put it into small Rush Baskets like Loaf-Sugar covering it over with green Leaves that it may not grow brown by the heat of the Sun The whole Countrey produces Gold The Countrey is full of Gold which the Blacks call Chilea some found on the Shore and at low-Low-water sought for by the Women and found by Pieces to the valew of a Noble But that which chiefly comes to Europe From whence the Gold comes is Digged out of the Rivers or Mynes by the Blacks far up within Land and by them brought and sold to those of Fantyn Akanian Adom Akara and other places in Barter for European Wares for few which live in these places know the Mynes nor hath any Whites ever been by or near the same For every particular King sets secure Guards upon the Mynes within his Dominion wherein he imploys his Slaves to work and when he hath gotten a quantity together he Trafficks for it with others lying nearer the Shore till by the passing through many hands it at last arrives in the Trading Ships of the European Merchants In some places How the Gold is taken up in the River especially at the plentiful Gold-River Atzine under the Cliffs and Water-falls shooting down from the Mountains Gold is taken up in this manner They Dive with a hollow Woodden Tray to the bottom and rake there among the Earth Stones and all that they can come at with which having filled their Dishes they come up above Water and washing the Mass find the Gold for sometimes whole pieces are wash't down by force of the Water through the Gold-Veins whereof the King of Egwira hath a great many which he keeps for his Fancy ascribing a secret Power and Vertue to it Sometimes they get by this Diving good store of Gold but otherwhiles in whole days make no advantage Besides this Diving In what manner the Gold is found Gold is found in divers other manners viz. in pieces like Beans or in Dust as small as Sand or Filings of Copper yet being very ragged like broken Coral or Stone and intermingled with Grit Clay or Earth which they cleanse in the running Streams yet not so but that much Dross remains among it Many hold opinion In what Tract of Land the Gold is found that all the Gold found and had near the Coast of Guinee is gotten within twenty miles of the Sea-shore in a Tract of Land from Cape de Tres Puntas till they come beyond Pichy and Sinko so concluding for that they of Soko lying onely three or four days Journey from the Shore know of no Gold neither have they any Trade in it and beyond Pichy and Sinko they have scarcely heard how they dig it Adjoining to the Village Little Commendo near the Sea lies a Hill A Gold-Mountain near Little-Commende which appearing to contain in its bowels much Gold in the Year Sixteen hundred twenty two the Inhabitants begun to dig for it but because they were ignorant in the method of Myning the hollowed Earth fell in smothering divers of the Workmen wherefore the King of Guaffo by advice Issued out an Edict that none might dig any more therein and so that Work remain'd ever since unattempted The Natives make strange reports of unusual Apparitions within the Mynes as that sometimes there is such a noise and tumult heard Conceit of the Blacks of the Gold-Mynes that none dares stay there and that otherwhiles the Laborers are driven thence by force and violence without seeing any thing and that sometimes a Golden Dog or such like Beast appears to them on a sudden and straightway vanishes again
round about and not inclosed yet they are commonly built in places of Defence for they stand on high Hills encompassed with Woods and have no other comings to them but through small Paths which are easily to be defended Their Houses are very sleight and little better than Hog-Styes Houses or at the best like the Tents in Forts or Bulwarks being erected in the following form Four Trees or Posts to a Man's heighth are set in a Square in the Earth How they are made and next those other Posts laid and bound fast round about this Draft are many small Sticks placed one by the other and bound so close together that they cannot put a hand between them and Plaister'd from the top to the bottom with Loam of yellow Earth to the thickness of almost half a Foot which the heat of the Sun dries so hard as a Stone within the House in stead of Painting or Whitening they lay another Stuff of red white or black Earth which made thin with Water they daub over with a Straw-wisp The Roof and is the chiefest Pride and greatest ornament of their Habitations The Roof consists of two four-square pieces made of Palm-Tree Leaves standing sloaping aloft and bound close together when it rains The Going 〈◊〉 but ordinarily set open with two sticks in fair Weather that the Sun may shine into their Houses The Entrance or Door is a square hole made at one side with a Shutter of Rushes before it which can be open'd and shut The Floor being made fast with a cord or rope of Mille-straw The Floor compacted of Red-earth laid very flat and even with a round hole in the middle to set the Pot with Wine de Palm in when they drink with one another Commonly such a House is built in eight or ten days and one may buy it for twenty Shillings or little more Three or four of these Huts always stand together in a square with a Yard in the middle where the Women boyl their Meat hedg'd about with Straw of Mille to the heighth of a Man In this manner the Houses stand all in a heap onely parted by the aforemention'd Straw of Mille and no farther distant from one another than that one man can go between so that the Passages are meerly narrow Alleys and very slippery in the time of Rain by reason of the fatness of the earth but they dry up again in Sun-shiny Weather as hard as stone The Mansions of the Braffo The Houses of the Braffo or Governor stand commonly by the Market and hath none other adjoyning thereto but onely those of his Wives and Children they are somewhat larger and bigger than those of the common people and cover'd with Straw of Mille. His People and Guards have every one a particular Chamber In the middle of his Court stands a square Hut open round about but cover'd on the top wherein he sits in the day-time with his Nobility that come to speak with him Before the Court-Gate stands always two Pots in the Ground with fresh Water for their Fetiso to drink out of The best of their Houshold-stuff is commonly one or two wooden Chests Their Houshold-stuffe bought of the Whites wherein they Lock all they possess so that little can be seen in their Houses They have some Kalabasses which they call Akoffo made of the Straw of Mille wherein they commonly carry their Wares and other Goods to sell Their Arms such as Shields Assagays or Launces hang on the Wall for Ornament The remaining part of their Goods consists in a Mat to sleep on two or three stumps of wood for Stools a Pot or two to boyl in two or three Kalabasses to drink Palm-Wine out of and a great Kettle to wash themselves in Along the whole Coast the Inhabitants use light and nimble Boats Canoos or Sloops by them call'd Ehem by the Portuguese Almades and by the English and others Canoos with which they go some Leagues to Sea and row up the Rivers from one place to another How they are made They are made of one entire piece of Wood or the body of a Tree cut long-ways with Cutting-Knives then made hollow on the sides and narrow above with a flat bottom and without any covering over head the Ends before and behind narrow and close together as a Hand-bow and almost in the same fashion the Head somewhat lower the Sides a finger thick and the Bottom two And after the hollowing they burn the Wood with Straw to prevent Worms and cleaving by the Sun At each End the Canoo hath a Bowe like a Galley The Shape a foot long and a Knob a hand thick whereby the Blacks carry them in and out of the Water upon their shoulders for they suffer them not to lie soaking in the water but set them upon Props to dry by which means they both preserve them from rotting and make them more pliable and swift in the using Behind they have a Rudder like an Oar being a long Stick with a round leaf at it The common ones The Bigness wherewith they go out a Fishing are generally sixteen foot long and one and a half or two foot broad Those made for the Wars and to carry Beasts or other Wares are five and thirty and forty foot long five broad and three foot high some so large that fifty or sixty men may stand in them with their Arms which sort are made about Cape de tres Puntas because there grows mighty large Trees being seventeen or eighteen fathom in thickness Fol 4 5 3 Fol 4 5 4 Furthermore for the prevention of Mishaps and as good Omens of a happy Voyage they deck them with several Fancies and Conceits as the Ears of Mille and other painted Emblems and Devices Some when they go a long Journey kill to the Honour of their Fetisi a Sheep or Buck and hang the same open'd at the head of their Canoo for a show The Inhabitants of Mongoba Konda-Quoia Ruono-Monou Places where no Canoos are used and some others in Gessymonou use no Canoos but the Korredebo's near Rio de Galhinas or Maqualbary and such as have many Lakes in their Countrey pass over in Canoos All others make Bridges which they fasten on the other side of the River to Trees and bind them fast with small Ropes which serve in stead of Railes to hold by that by the swinging they may not fall off These Bridges they make how wide soever the Rivers be and go with heavy burthens over them and by reason of their shaking call them Jenge Jenge and extraordinarily necessary by reason of the fierce Cataracts of Water falling from the high Cliffs sufficient to bear down fixed Bridges and altogether unpassable by Canoos The men of all degrees go habited either in Linnen The Cloathing of the Men. or Cotton Cloth girt round about their middle and hanging down to their Knees They have a great fancy in Shaving their
Priviledges for now he may buy Slaves and Trade for other things which before he had no permission to do They take great care therefore about it although perhaps the acquiring cost them all they are worth and thereby are much poorer than before but he soon gets it up again by Presents brought him from others each according to his ability And now as soon as he hath gain'd an Estate again he bestows it upon Slaves wherein their Riches and Reputation consists These keep one among another a yearly time of Feasting where they make good Cheer new Paint the Cows Head and hang it about with Ears of Mille. Besides this the Nobility in general keep one Feast upon the sixth day of July where they Paint their Bodies with Stripes of red Earth and wear on their Necks a Garland of green Boughs and Straw as a Badge of their Nobility In the Evening they all come as Guests to the House of the Braffo where they are entertain'd with exceeding Mirth and Feasting even to Excess and Drunkenness These People are so conceited of their old Idolatrous Customs Religion or Worship that they deride as it were the Religion of the Whites under what Name or Notion soever Several times have the Portuguese and French by Jesuits sent thither endeavour'd to convert them to the Christian Faith yet never have been able hitherto to effect any thing worth relating And thus have we travell'd through the Gold-Coast The Coast from Rio Volta to Arder SEven Miles Eastward from Akara The River Rio da Volta on the Shore lieth a Town call'd Sinko twelve Miles from that the River Rio da Volta falls into the Sea Coming with Ships before this River the Entrance seems very little because of a Shelf which lies before it and closeth it up yet more within Land it may be discern'd to run with an open and wide Channel Between Sinko and Rio Volta standeth a Town call'd Ley whose Inhabitants maintain themselves by selling Cows wherewith though at a dear Rate they furnish themselves with Meat Three Miles from Rio Volta lieth a Point call'd in Portuguese Cabo Montego a low Countrey having little Wood and the Shore spreading East South-East From Cabo Montego Eastwards the Coast shoots out with a great Belly so that from one Corner to the other Observe Spanish Miles or Leagues as we said before such as twenty five make a Degree it is ten Miles Sailing The Countrey seems Craggy yet water'd with a small River whose Mouth is stopp'd with Sand and hath Trees on the East Quarter Beyond all the Land lies flat as far as Popo or Popou and shadow'd with good Boscage THE KINGDOM OF ARDER THis Kingdom of Arder contains about twelve Miles in length The Kingdom of Arder beginning four Miles Eastward of Popou and ending at Aqua Three Miles Eastward of Popou on the Shore appears a Town named Foulaen The Town Foulaen five Miles Eastward of which on the same Coast you come to Little Arder Little Arder three hundred Rods in length beyond which about fifty Rods from the Shore runs a River of brackish Water From Popou the Coast reacheth East and by South to Arda and for eight Miles low Land spotted here and there with Trees Two Miles Westward of Arder stand four Woods A Mile to the North North-East of Arder Jakkeins you may see Jakkein a Town so call'd from the Governor thereof The City is encompass'd fifteen hundred Rod about with an Earthen Wall and includes a stately Palace the Residence of the Governor and water'd with a small Rivulet Three days Journey from Jakkein lieth the Jojo Jojo and a quarter of a Mile farther a Town call'd Ba surrounded with a Mud Wall Ba. over which a Fidalgo Commands in the King's Name On the Sea-Coast stand two Gates and on the Land-side runs a fresh River which reacheth to Benyn About twelve Miles to the North North-East up in the Countrey lieth Great Arder an open Village and straglingly built but containing in circuit as the Natives report above three Miles They may conveniently Ride to Arder on Horseback or be carri'd in a Litter or Waggon there runneth so straight a Way thither from the Shore In the mid-way stands a Retiring place for Travellers where they brew Beer of Mille. The King hath his Residence in this Village and two Palaces but he dwells onely in one the other being reserv'd as a Retirement upon casualty of Fire Both these Palaces are environ'd with an Earthen Wall of four or five Foot thick with Coverings of Reeds and have several Chambers and Apartments within Here are no Wall'd Cities but open Villages in abundance fitly scituate for Merchandise and defensible for the Inhabitants The Air proves unhealthy to the Whites The air unhealthy for the greatest number of them that go to Land are quickly seiz'd by a Sickness which for the most part kill 's whereas the Natives are very fresh and sound and attain a great Age. This Tract of Land is every where plain and fruitful thin of Woods The conditions of the Land but full of fine Villages the Ways very convenient to Travel in and several full-stream'd Rivers that irrigate and with their Waters fertilize the Ground The Valleys are enricht with divers Fruits throughout the whole year Their Fruits as Injames Potato's Oranges Lemons Coco-Nuts Palm-Wine and such like The Injames are eaten either boyl'd broil'd or roasted with Butter for Sawce In the Marshes of Arder they make much Salt which those of Kuramo buy and carry away with great Canoos Here breed many Horses The Houses are meer Mud-walls two or three Foot thick Houses and cover'd with Straw Their Houshold-stuff no other than that before described on the Gold-Coast Houshold-stuff and as there also for Ornament hang on the Walls their Arms viz. Shields Assagays or Lances Bowes and Arrows In Places of retirement or as we may call them Inns Beer of Mille. between the Shore and Great Arder and in the Town Offer they brew Beer of Mille in this manner First they steep the Mille in Water till it shoots afterwards dry it in the Sun then stamp it to Meal in great Mortars and poure upon it boyling hot Water They know also to make this Mash Work with Yeast and to make it thick or thin as they please But this Beer by the heat of the Mille will soon sowre and drinking of it causeth the Scurvey but mixed with Water makes a good wholsom Drink Their Bread made of Mille they call Kanties and their other Victuals Kade Food being green Herbs Rice Beef Pork Cabrietes or Mutton Dogs and Hens The Men have three Habit. sometimes four Garments hanging about their Middles one shorter than another so that part of them all may be seen but the upper part of the Body and Feet up to the Knees remain naked The better sort have very sumptuous Cloathing of
beating of the Sea against the Shore the Landing proves very dangerous When the Merchants have done and are ready to depart they must pay to the King two Musquets and five and twenty Pound of Gun-Powder or for want of that in Silk-Worms the worth of nine Slaves to the Carte to the Foello or Captain of the Whites and to Honga the Captain of the Boat to each of them a like Present Provisions for the Whites may be had here for a reasonable Price that is a Cask of fresh Water and a Sag of Wood for two yellow Armlets a Kof or Chest of Salt for three five Hens for four a Pot of Beer for one In time of Wars none are exempted from Service The Wars but very old Men and Children their disorderly manner of Fight you have before describ'd as also their Barbarism to the Slain and Prisoners and Method of Triumphing with their Heads and therefore we will not here repeat and cloy you with the same things again The King of Arder hath absolute and Soveraign Power over his Subjects Dominion and according as they reckon State carries a Majestick Splendor both in Clothes and Servants his Subjects tendring him great respect He Creates Noblemen and Courtiers at his pleasure and punishes Offenders not any daring to contradict Every Town as Jakkijn and Ba hath their Fidalgos or Noblemen to preside it in the King's Name who exacts a great Revenue from the Inhabitants by Order from the King When the King dies Funeral for two or three moneths after two sit waiting by him and some Servants are Strangled as an ostentation of Power not in expectation of Service in the other world The Crown descends to the Eldest or Youngest Son after their Fathers Decease and takes all his Father left but his Wives whom all but his own Mother to whom extraordinary respect is shown he imploys in his works of several kinds The Goods of the meanest sort after their decease falls to the Noblemen whose Vassals they were Their Religion consists in no appointed Meetings or setled Form Their Religion though they have Fetiseros or Priests for every Person of Quality hath his own Chaplain and if any be sick in their Family the Fetisero comes and taking Oxen Fetisero's or Priests Sheep and Hens for a Sacrifice cuts their Throats and with the Bloud besprinkles their Fetisi or Sant that is sometimes no more than an old Earthen Pot or Basket Every Family hath a Meeting once in six moneths at which their Priest offers Sacrifice to their Fetisi or Sant put under a Pot with Holes and then they enquire of what they desire to know If the Fetisi be unsatisfied the Priest can get no words from him if otherwise he hath an answer by a gracile or small-piped voice as if it came from the Fetisi whereas indeed it is a counterfeited sound by their Priests Then the Inquirer takes a Bason fill'd with Beer and Meal and gives to the Priest then suddenly somewhat in the Pot under which the Fetisi sits leaps whereupon all promising obedience to the answer and drinking a draught out of the Bason depart They believe another life after this but not for all for they say that a man after death perisheth and his bloud congeals so that none must expect any Resurrection saving those that are slain in the Wars which they averre to have found by experience and that the Bodies slain in the Wars lie not two days in the Graves But more probably this seems a cheat of their Fetisero's who in the night steal the bodies from their resting-places to make the people believe they were risen and gone to another life and to this end to make them the more stout and valiant in the Wars Sixteen miles Eastward of Little Arder Rio Laga Rio de Lagas empties his Waters into the Sea before which a Shelf lyeth that choaks the whole River except at the East-side where they may Row in with a Boat but not without danger to overset in a rowling Sea This Flood goeth in at North or North-west and so passes to a Town call'd Curamo lying on the South Curamo from which Cotton-Cloathes are brought to the Gold-Coast and with good Profit Traded for by the Europeans there The Kingdom of ULKAMI or ULKUMA ULkami or Ulkuma a mighty Countrey The Kingdom of Vlkami spreads Eastward of Arder between that and Benyn to the North-East From hence they send many Slaves partly taken in the Wars Their Trade and partly made such as a punishment for their offences to Little Arder and there sold to the Portuguese to be transported to the West-Indies The Boys in this Region are Religion or Worship according to the Mahumetan manner Circumcis'd but the Girls when they attain the Age of ten or twelve years they put a Stick up their Privacies whereon Pismires taken out of the Fields are set to eat out the Flesh The Monarchy of BENYN THe Kingdom of Benyn Borders of the Kingdom of Benyn or Benin so call'd from its chief City Great Benyn borders in the Northwest on the Kingdom of Ulkami Jaboc Jejago and Oedobo in the North on that of Jaboc eight days journey above the City Benyn in the East on the Kingdom of Istanna and Forkado and in the South on the Sea How far this Principality of Benyn spreads Bigness from South to North is as yet unknown by reason several places continue so full of great Woods that they cannot be Travell'd but it hath from East to West about a hundred Spanish Miles This Kingdom boast many good Towns Latbâ— though little at present known as lying eight or nine days journey beyond the City of Benyn besides an innumerable number of Villages and Hamlets sprinkled as Beauty-Spots on the Verge of the River but the rest of the Countrey not Inhabited so overgrown with Brambles and Bushes as makes it unpassable save onely where some narrow Paths lead from Town to Town Twenty miles or thereabouts up the same River near its Head-Spring stands a Town call'd Gotton Gotton considerable for its length and extent Nine or ten miles from which The City of Benyn but more into the Countrey Northward Benyn shews its self a City of that largeness as cannot be equall'd in those Parts and of greater civility than to be expected among such Barbarous People to whom better known by the name of Ordor It confines within the proper Limits of its own Walls three miles Bigness but taking in the Court makes as much more The Wall upon one side rises to the height of ten Feet double Pallasado'd with great and thick Trees with Spars of five or six Foot laid Crossways fasten'd together and Plaister'd over with Red Clay so that the whole is cemented into one intirely but this surrounds hardly one side the other side having onely a great Trench or Ditch and Hedge of Brambles unpassable with little
the Sea-Coast comes the Lordship of Bani wherein is seated a pretty large Town by Name Kuleba the Residence of a Deputy-Lieutenant who Commands over eight or ten adjacent Townships All the Blacks inhabiting the Easterly-shore of the greater Calabare Those of Calabare are Cannibals towards the North are Cannibals for they eat up whatever Enemies they kill but their Prisoners they sell for Slaves The Number One they call Barre Two Ma Three Terre Four Ni Five Sonny c. The Women here have a peculiar way of Circumcision with Pismires as before related in Arder and therefore we shall not repeat it In Moko they have Coin'd Money made of Iron in form of a Roach the Rundle as big as the Palm of a Hand with a Handle about an Inch long The Whites give here in Barter for Slaves Trade great Copper Armlets long-fashion'd and with a round Bowe very neatly made else the Blacks who are very curious therein will not buy them also red and smooth Copper Bars the smoother the better every Piece of a Pound and a quarter weight and about an Ell long for fourteen of those they purchase a good Slave The Blacks fashion these Bars longer and thinner which they divide into three parts and then bray'd or twist them together like a Rope made of three Strings which they fashion into great and small Armlets and Collers or Neck-bands for the Armlets term'd Boctu brought thither by the Whites they use onely in stead of Money The Blacks in this River use great Canoos Canoos wherein twenty Row on each side can carry sixty or eighty Men and are cut out of the entire Body of a Tree by burning and cutting it hollow and some near sixty nay seventy Foot long sharp before and behind but wide in the middle having Planks laid cross from side to side and fastned which lie a hand-breadth over on which Planks and on the edges of them such as manage the Boat sit which they drive forward not with Rowing but with Padling On each side hang two great Shields How they are Arm'd with some Bowes and Wooden Assagays or Launces to defend themselves against the Assaults of their Enemies Every Canoo hath also a Hearth near which the chiefest of the Boat have their Sleeping-places When they stay out a Nights with their Canoos How they make Tents over their Canoos they make a Tent over them with Mats hang'd upon Polls set up in holes of the sitting-Planks under this covert they lay small flat Sticks bound together with Rushes whereupon they lie down to rest and sleep but the Slaves lie dispers'd about the bottom of the Boat The Slaves brought by the Blacks to sell at the River Calabare From whence the Slaves come which the Netherlanders buy come most from the East and are the same which they take Prisoners alive in the Wars for those that are kill'd they eat as we said before Eastward of Great Calabare about two miles from its East Point The River Loitomba glides the River Loitomba otherwise Rio Sante Domingo whose East corner a petty Town shews it self large and full of Merchants who Travel into the Countrey to buy Slaves which they sell again to the Whites After Loitomba follows Old Calabare by some stil'd Old Kalhorgh The River of old Calabare passing through a Plain but Woody Countrey from the East Point of Rio Reael to this the Coast spreads East South East sixteen miles Next you come to Rio del Key a very great and wide River Rio del Key with three Fathom Water and a Muddy Ground neither troubled with Sandy Shoales nor Rocks At the Northerly Shore thereof lieth a Township over which some years since one Samson had the Command but driven out by those of Ambo he hath ever since maintain'd himself by Robbing for his Village was so wasted by Fire that very few Houses remain'd and those all made of Palm Canes from the top to the bottom as well the Sides as the Roof The Countrey far and near is all low and marshy Ground Constitution of the Countrey so that there is no fresh Water but that which runs from the Village or gathered from the Roof of the Houses The People living up higher call'd Kalbongos are very subtil and cunning Nature of the Inhabitants so that a White must look well to himself Both Men and Women go naked onely a small covering before their Privacies and so barbarously cruel that the Parents sell their Children the Husband his Wife and one Brother and Sister the other and as to decency or order scarce a degree above Beasts The Men tie the top of their Virile part with a piece of Bark Apparel or else put the same in long Callabashes the rest of their Bodies remain Naked onely Painted with Red Colours They wear their Hair Pleited in several Fashions and many have their upper Teeth fil'd as sharp as Bodkins or Needles chiefly supporting themselves by catching Fish When any amongst them stands accus'd Oath he clears himself by taking an Oath in this manner He cuts himself in the Arm and sucks up his own bloud and this they repute a sufficient Purgation and this custom those inhabiting the high Land of Amboises in Ambo and Botery also observe This River affords many Slaves for Copper Bars Trade and likewise for counterfeit Corral Beads and Copper Basons which on the Gold-Coast for their sleightness cannot be sold Akori also and Elephants Teeth against Knives and Assagayes or Lances the Teeth generally so large that three pieces make a hundred weight Between Rio del Key and that of Kamarones narrow but deep Rivers Little Kamaroms makes his way from whence the Coast spreads East South East about three miles with low and Woody Land and a plain Shore The Trade here agrees in all points with that at Rio del Rey Trade but differ in speech for here they call the number One Mo Ba Two Melella Three Meley Four Matam Five The Territory of AMBOSINE or the High Land AMBOISES THis Lordship of Amboisine The Territory of Amboises by the Europeans call'd the High Land of Amboses because they suppose it to be as high as the Pick of Tenariffe and by the Spaniards therefore nam'd Alta Terra de Ambosi takes place between Rio del Rey The Village Bodi and Kamarones At the West side thereof lie divers Villages among others Bodi or Bodiwa otherwise Cesge The Countrey produces great plenty of Grain Nature of the Countrey but no Palm-Wine which want the Inhabitants supply by a Root call'd Gajanlas which they boile in water and make a Drink of pleasant in taste but hurtful for the belly if taken in excess Other Provisions they have in such quantities that Seameâ— esteem it a good and desirable place to refresh in The Islands of AMBOISES FOur miles to the South East of this High Land The Islands of Amboises
lie three small Islanâ—â— the Sea call'd also Amboises of which the Eastermost is the biggest almost as Towring as the High Land of Amboises being very populouâ— Within these great abundance of Provision good Palm-Wine and 〈◊〉 may be had but little Trade and for that reason as little frequented 〈◊〉 before it the Ships Ride at Anchor to buy Slaves and Elephants Teeth brought thither from Kamerones The Inhabitants Inhabitants which for the most part speak Portuguese live on the middlemost Island of the three from whence they go often to the main Land 〈◊〉 get Provision and Fruit. About five miles from Amboises River of Kamarones the River Jamoce glides in a narrow Current In the middle of which Buffels Island towards the South Wall a small Island call'd Buffels Island discovers it self from which spreads a Bank of Rocks South Easterly so steep that one side of a Ship touching it on the other side may find six Fathom water Two miles within the third Point Yeeth Hole or Monoka you arrive at a place by the Whites call'd The Teeth Hole but by the Natives Monoka and opposite to that another nam'd The Monombas Hole whereto adjoyns a Village the usual Trading place At the North live the Kalbangas whose Governor nam'd Moneba hath the repute of one of the powerfullest of the adjacent Princes The Town where he keeps his Seat Royal stands scituate on a Hill very neatly Hedg'd about with Trees so that they account it the pleasantest place in all that Tract and not onely so but exceedingly stor'd with abundance of Provision as Injames Bananassen Palm Wine and Bordon Wine both of the same species but the latter the worst as growing in Fenny places The Houses are built in Quadrangular form Little Ivory can be gotten here and less Akori but many Slaves Trade which makes them cheap The Commodities desir'd there and carry'd thither by the Netherlanders are Thin beaten Bosses which they use in stead of Money Bars of Iron Copper Bars Copper Pots Hammer'd Kettles Violet Beads Paste of Oranges and Lemmons Cows Horns And such like The People which live by the River Kamerones are strong fat and lively smooth Skin'd from the top to Toe and generally of as large a stature as the lustiest Englishman Next Kamerones on the Sea Coast follow the Rivers Monoka Borba or Bourn Rio de Campo Rio Sante Benito and Rio Danger Rio Sante Benito lieth in two degrees Northern Latitude Rio Santo Benito and the Coast spreads South and North. Seven miles Southward in one degree and five and thirty minutes you come to another River and four miles farther a third abounding in Water Five miles from the last opens a Bay bearing eight Fatnom Water Six miles below which a prominant Point stil'd Cape St. John Cape of St. John fronted with a ridge of Rocks None of these Rivers are much frequented for Trade except that of Danger in one degree North Latitude The People prove ill Neighbours to each other being never free from Animosities Feuds and Quarrels upon every trifle The Island KORISKO THree or four miles Southward of Cape St. John appears an Island The Island Korisko to which the Portuguese have given the name of Ilhas des Korisko that is The Island of Lightning from the more than usually frequent Lightnings happening there when they first discover'd the place The Land towards the Sea Coast is generally Sandy Nature of the Countrey except on the North West where Stony But more within overgrown with high Trees whose Wood is Redder if Sanutus say true than that of Brasile perhaps it may be the Red Wood which the Inhabitants call Takoel The Road for Ships lieth in five and forty minutes Northward of the Line The Road or Harber and convenient for Shipping According to Sanute the Island not inhabited being indeed not above half a mile in compass but the propriety of the Benyan King The Countries lying about the River Gabon and the Cape of Lope Gonzalvez THe River Gabon The River Gabon by Linschot call'd Gaba and in some Maps Gabam lyeth under the Line The North Point of which the Seamen call the Cape of St. The Cape St. Clare Clare much resembling that of St. John and in a manner differenc'd onely in this that coming out of the Sea and approaching near the Shore they see a white Spot against it as if it were a Sayl which is not to be seen at the Cape of St. John In the Mouth this River is four miles wide but grows afterwards smaller and narrower The Island Pongo so that it is not above two miles over at the Island Pongo It s South Point is low and overgrown with Trees but the North Point almost choak'd up with Flats and Sands At the South Shore about three or four miles inwards another Point discovers it self known by the name of the Sandy Point many Crocodiles and Sea-Horses breed herein to the great damage and hazard both of the Natives and Strangers Five miles more inward you come to two little Islands the one the Inhabitants call Pongo and the Whites Parret Island The King's Isle because he keeps his Court there and the other Parrets Isle from the great abundance of Parrets breeding within it which last yields also great plenty of Bananasses Injames Oranges and other Fruits The King of Pongo hath the report of a powerful Prince they entitle him Manipongo that is Lord of Pongo as the King of Kongo Mani-Kongo 'T is true two other Princes claim a great Jurisdiction near him viz. one at Majombo and another at Gabon yet neither dare resist he Pongian and his Palaces nam'd Goliparta exceed in magnificence and extent all the rest of the Buildings which pretend to Beauty or State The Men naturally incline to Cheating and Thieving The nature of the Inhabitants but not so much among themselves as towards strangers to whom also bloudy barbarous and unnatural but the Women shew great courtesie and affability accounting it an honor to make acquaintance with them In Marriage they have no respect to neerness of Relation Marriages for the Mother may Marry her Son and the Father his Daughter The Houses have no other Walls or Partitions than Reeds Houses very neatly order'd and fastned together and cover'd with Leaves of the Bannana-Tree They lie all along on the ground when they eat Food the common People using Earthen Vessels but more eminent persons Dishes of Tin Their Food chiefly Potatoes and Injames Roasted or Boil'd and many other Roots Also Fish and Flesh mixt together but first either smoak'd or dry'd in the Sun During the Meal they never Drink but having done Eating swallow great Cups full of Water or Palm-Wine or a sort of Mead which they call Melaffo For Apparel they wear Cloth made of Mats Habit. and the Shell of the Matombe-Tree over which some hang the Skins of Apes or Sea-Cats
for Name Lovango or Barra Lovangiri yet the Blacks forget not its old Denomination Boary or Bury The Ground-plat of it takes as much in compass Bigness as our famous City of York in England but much more straglingly built It hath large streight and broad Streets of which the Inhabitants take great care that no Grass grow nor any Soil lie in them They stand in very good order and are neatly Planted with Palmito-Trees Bananos and Bakoros Form which stand as streight as it were by a Line Some of those Trees also stand behind the Houses and sometimes quite round about serving not onely for an Ornament but also for a Shelter and Shadow In the middle of which you come to a great Market-place The Court of the King by whose side stands the King's Court surrounded with a Hedge of Palm-Trees containing in circuit as much as are in ordinary Towns beautifi'd with many Houses for his Women that live six or eight together not daring to stir from their appointed Stations without the King's leave or the Overseers which use a diligent and jealous eye over them The Houses are built long-ways with two Gable Ends and a sloaping Roof which rests on long thick Posts that lie upon Stays about two or three Fathom high The breadth length and heighth of them is near alike that they may stand in equal and uniform distances and within they have sometimes two or three Rooms or Chambers apart in one of which they keep their Riches and that hath Doors at the hinder end lockt up with a double Lock some have round about a Fence of Palm-Boughs plash'd others of Bulrushes wreath'd some make Lebonge or Wickers braided together which inclose six eight or more Houses and they dwell in them as in a Precinct being to each other very trusty and in all accidents helpful Their Housholdstuff consists chiefly in Pots Calabasses Wooden Trays Housholdstuff Mats a Block whereon they put their Caps some small and great Baskets of a neat fashion into which they put their Cloathes and other trifling things Besides the aforemention'd Division of Lovango The Countrey bordering on Lovango other Territories lie about it some of which pay Tribute and others not and therefore the Tributary being Majumba Dirge and divers others are not unproperly reckon'd as Members of Lovango and put into the King's Title Majumba lieth within three or four Degrees South Latitude Cape Niger bordering in the West upon the Sea where appears a high black Point by the Portuguese named Cabo Niger that is to say The Black Point because it shews afar off by reason of Trees upon it black Next this Cape follows a Road The Road of Majumba by Seamen call'd The Road of Majumba about half a mile in length that is from the Cape Niger to the South Point being low and overgrown with Trees Within the Countrey you discover a red Mountain The Mountain Metute by the Inhabitants styl'd Metute Not far off a great Salt Lake a mile broad opens to the view out of which some Waters about half a mile Northward of Cape Niger run into the Sea but the passages are sometimes choaked up by the Waves that beats extraordinarily against them On the Shore stands the Village Majumba The Village Majumba built in one long row so near the Sea that the incroaching Waves oftentimes necessitates the Inhabitants to remove behind the Village on the North a River very full of Oysters poures its Water into the Sea and hath in its Mouth at the most not above six sometimes but three or four Foot of Water yet farther within boasts a considerable bigness breadth depth and length extending at least fifteen miles upward Southward of Lovango to the great help and conveniency of those that fetch Red-Wood which otherwise they must carry much farther whereas now they bring it in Canoos down the River Majumba is barren of Grain but yields plenty of Banano's which they call Bittebbe and Makondo of which they make Bread abundance also of Palm-Trees from whence they extract Wine and the Rivers afford plenty of Fish The People having no peculiar Prince are very rude and savage giving themselves to work all manner of mischief Here was formerly a great Trade for Elephants-Teeth Trade but now almost decay'd and lost The Manibomme that is the Deputy of Lovangiri pays for all the Red-Wood brought from Sette down the River to Majumba Ten in the Hundred The Women fish for Oysters out of the aforemention'd River fetching them up in great Trays from the bottom then opening and smoaking them they will remain good for some Moneths These smoaked Oysters as all other sorts of Flesh or Fish so smoaked in the Countrey Language are call'd Barbette Over this Territory one of the Counsellors of State to the King of Lovango Government named as we said Manibomme Commands rendring no account to his Master but onely the Red-Wood Eight or nine miles Southward lieth a Point call'd Quilongo or Sellage according to the Name of the neighboring Village This Tract of Land appears to ships at Sea Prospect of Majumba at Sea coming out of the South with two Mountains in the shape of a Womans two Breasts and therefore call'd Quanny About two miles Southward of the Breasts glides the River Quila abounding with Fish and precipitating it self with a strong Water-fall into the Sea ¶ THe Dominion of Chilongatia Mokonga is a large compass of Ground lying Northward of the River Quila in former times a free Kingdom but now by Conquest a Member of Lovango yet still enjoy their antient Customs and Priviledges paying Tribute onely The Manibeloor or Governour of Chilongo hath absolute Superiority during his life and after his Decease the People may chuse another without asking the King of Lovango leave ¶ THe Jurisdiction of Sette about sixteen miles from the River Majumba The Territory of Sette borders in the West at the Sea and water'd by a River also nam'd Sette Here grows both great and small Mille the first call'd Massa-Manponta and the other Massa-Minkale Many Potato's in the Countrey Phrase stil'd Iqua Anpotte and Palm-Wine Plants with them Malaffa as the Trees Mabba or the Nut Imba and the Pith or Kernel Inbonga This Province yields extraordinary plenty of Red-Wood besides other sorts of Timber Of this they have two sorts the one by those of Sette call'd Quines which the Portuguese us'd to buy but is not esteem'd in Lovango the other By-Sesse being much heavier and redder bears both a good Price and reputation The Root of this By-Sesse call'd Angansy Abysesse exceeds in hardness and deepness of colour which makes it much valued With this Wood the Blacks drive a great Trade all over the Coast of Angola and in Lovango dealing indeed very seldom with any other than their own People being at first brought from Sette where the Governor receives the Custom of Ten in the Hundred which we
wears a four-square Pouch of a Lions skin ty'd round about with a wicker thread and above with a Collar of Leather so hanging about his neck In this Budget they have all sorts of Implements a man can think on A master of Slaves at least that may easily be gotten as all sorts of little Horns Shells small Stones Iron Bells dry'd Sprigs of Trees Herbs Feathers Gums Roots Seeds Keys Patches Shreds Gratings Scrapings Horns Teeth Hair and Nails of white little Dwarfs call'd Doend us In brief cram'd with a whole Pedlars Pack and dress'd with Feathers Strings Cords Snips of Cloth and the like To this they add two Baskets thick cover'd with Shells Feathers Iron Hooks and an Herb fetcht from a far distant Mountain in which they cut a hole where they pour in Wine of which they give often to drink The simplicity of the Maujeres deserves well to be laugh'd at for when they bring any thing upon the account of Trade into another Countrey from home perhaps forty or fifty miles they must have such a Sack of Trumpery which sometimes weighs ten or-twelve pounds aloft upon their Pack though the burden it self makes them ready to sink under it But they say that it rather takes from than adds to their carriage whereby it appears what effects the strength of imagination can do The Ceremonies of their Publick Devotions are strange and ridiculous How the service of these Mokisies is perform'd for in the first place they bring forth a Bag of Jewels then the Ganga sits down upon a Mat and with a Leather Bag thumps upon his Knee having always some little Iron Bells betwixt his fingers then again he strikes upon his breast and paints with red and white upon his Eye-lids Body and Face using many strange motions and postures of their Body Hands Head and Eyes now raising the voice to a high pitch then depressing it frequently speaking the word Mariomena whereupon those that sit round about with all the rest of the assembly answer Ka. After this hath continu'd a great space the Ganga or Conjurer begins to turn his Eyes and look as if he were distracted so that they must hold him but by vertue of a fowr Water or Juyce drawn from Cane wherewith they sprinkle him recovering he tells what he hath receiv'd from Boesy-batta and what must be done in such and such cases as of theft sickness and the like Besides this they use so many other Cheats and Delusions that if we should but name them would swell to a bulk too Voluminous for our Design Lykokoo is a black Woodden Image cut in the shape of a Man sitting and in Kinga a Town lying by the Sea-Coast where they have a common Burial-place they recite a thousand ridiculous Rhymes concerning this Kikokoo As That he preserves them from Death Sorcerers or Doojes That he keeps them from hurt by Sorcerers or Doojes as they call them That he makes the Dead arise out of the Graves in the Night and forces them to labor by going to the Shore and helping to catch Fish and to drive the Canoos in the Water and in the Day hunts them to their Graves again and the like Fictions which the elder Folks make the young believe and imprint it in them from their Infancy It happ'ned once formerly that some Mariners of a Portuguese Ship that went to Lovango in the Night stole Kikokoo out of his House and brought it on Board and in the way an Arm and the Head brake off But having occasions afterwards to go to Lovango again they durst not venture thither without restoring Kikokoo So nailing the Head and Arm again fast to the Trunk and being come upon the Road they set him in the dead of the Night into his House again The next day there arose a Report among the Blacks That Kikokoo was in Portugal and that a Ship with Goods had taken him away Afterwards there came by mishap a Portuguese Ship to strike upon the Rocks of Lovango whereupon they cried That Kikokoo had broken the Ship because the Portuguese had driven a Nail into his Head Thus they are taught at every turn to defend the Honor of the Moquisies and to misapply every Accident for confirmation of their Folly When the Bonfires of Bomba are made they lay many Drums upon the ground which they beat with their hands and feet sitting round about a Post that is set in the middle among which the Daughters of Kimbos-bombos all dance moving their Bodies Eyes and Head like mad Folks and with obscene Postures sing certain Verses wearing upon their Heads a Bush of all sorts of colour'd Feathers and on their Bodies strange fashion'd Garments with a red and white painted Rattle in each Hand In brief The more apishly they behave themselves the freer and braver they are esteem'd to be A thousand more ridiculous and bestial Ceremonies these shameless Gangaes practice at their Bonfires mocking their Moquisies and dare do whatsoever they think convenient Malemba is a Moquisie of great esteem and serves to support the King's Health It is a Mat of about a Foot and half square with a Band at the top upon which hang some small Baskets Scallops Feathers dry'd Pipes of Cassia Iron Bells Rattles Bones and other such like Trinkets all painted red with Takoel The Ceremonies belonging to this are performed with little Drums or Tabers upon which a Boy strikes with his Hand Afterwards some Painting of Takoel and Holy-water taken out of a Pot with a Brush is sprinkled upon the Ganga's and King's Body with a Song of Probation serving to the purpose Also the Nobility which peep have for their pains out of the same Pot a red Streak put upon their Bodies and have afterwards the Honor to carry away Malemba with his Pots Brushes and Cans and to hang them in their Places Moquisie Makongo they solemnize with Rattles Makongo Drums small Wicker-baskets and Red-colour'd Fish-hooks but not worth farther mentioning being all foppery Moquisie Mymy is a little Hut Mymy that stands on the back of a Way planted round with Banano's Bakovens and other Trees having an elevated Tial or Throne upon which a Basket stands full of all sorts of Trumpery not worth naming The chiefest is a Bracelet of Beads with some little Shells found on the Sea-coast by which there hangs a hollowed piece of Wood upon which they knock No Black who hath companied with his Wife that Night dare be so bold as to touch this Moquisie such an Esteem they bear to it Moquisie Kossie is a Sack with some Horns full of Whiting and other Aragh Kossy The Service is performed with Rattles long Sticks singing uncouth Songs in the Night creeping upon their Knees Washing Spitting Shouting tying Rings and Bands about their Bodies and such like things This they boast as an infallible Preservative against Thunder and Lightning and to prevent Sicknesses The Moquisie Kymaye is a Town close by Boarye
Wall of Elephants-Teeth in stead of Stone and there hanging upon Poles remain till they be quite rotten These Islanders also have particular Heads and chief Officers Government chosen by most Voices Several other Rivers pay their tributary Waters to increase the swelling Current of Zair the most eminent are Umbre Brankare and Barbale Umbre by Sanutus call'd Vambere rises in the North out of a Mountain in Negro-Land and loseth it self on the East-side in the Zair Brankare as Pigafet or Bankare as Sanutus calleth it taketh the original out of the same Mountain and after a long course discharging his Meandring Stream into the Sea saith the same Sanutus but Pigafet from the information of Edward Lopez averrs it mingleth with Zair on the Easterly Borders of Pango not far from the Foot of the Crystal Mountain The River Barbele so call'd by Linschot or Verbele by Pigafet springs out of the same Lake which the same Author makes the Head-Source of Nylus to flow from after which it shooteth through the Lake Aquilumde and visiting the City of Pango it enlargeth the Zair with the addition of its Water Southward of the Mouth of the River Zair shoots out a Promontory The Cape of Padron call'd in Portuguese Cabo de Padron who above a hundred years since erected a small Chappel and set up a Cross and about five miles from Padron is the Residence of the Earl of Sonho where the Netherlanders Trade A little way within Padron lieth St. Pauls Point affording a convenient Road for Ships A mile and a half from thence lieth a Creek call'd Pampus Rock Pampus Rock More on Southwards you come to the Rivers Lelunde or Lolongo Ambris Enkekoquematari Loze Onza Libonge Danda and Bengo Lelunde running between Zair and Ambris The River Lelunde hath its Head-Spring in the same Lake with Coanza or Quanza so passing close by the Foot of the Mountain where the Royal City St. Salvadore stands runs down from thence with many windings West-North-west to the Sea into which it falls with a strong Current but in the Summer so shallow that 't is not passable with Vessels of any Burden The Blacks frequent it with Canoos notwithstanding the hazard of Crocodiles which in great abundance breed there Next you come to Ambris Ambris lying in six Degrees South Latitude a great River and full of Fish but Rocky at the entrance yet passable enough for small Boats It hath the same original with Lelonde taking likewise its course not far from St. Salvadore the Water seems muddy caused by the swiftness of the Stream at whose Edges begins the Dukedom of Bamba Thirty miles up this River is a Ferry A Ferry where every Traveller for his passage over must pay a certain Toll to the King of Congo On the South Banks of it many people inhabit who get their Living by making Salt boyl'd of Sea-water in Earthen Pots and proves gray and sandy yet they carry it to Pambo and several other Places and drive a great Trade therewith Enkokoquematari is the next Enkokoquematari whose beginning lies undiscover'd to the Europeans and the whole in a manner of no use great Flats and Sands stopping up the Mouth so that it will not bear a small Boat and within so scanty of Water that a Canoo can hardly make way Loze Loze another mean Brook yet up in the Countrey passable for a Boat About twenty miles upward you must pass a Ferry where all Travellers for going over must pay Custom to the Duke of Bamba Onza or as Pigafet Onzoni is Fordable and not to be Sail'd by any Vessels because of its shallowness Lihongo Lihongo by some call'd Lemba can boast neither greater depth or better qualities Danda The River Danda. a little more Southward hath at the Mouth five or six Foot Water 't is full of Fish and feeds many Crocodiles and Sea-Horses and affords on each side fruitful Grounds somewhat high on the South-side but on the North for half a mile low Grounds Bengo The River Bengo by some taken for a Branch of Danda with Quanza another lying makes the Island Lovando it affords good Sailing with Sloops about fourteen miles upward and in the Mouth sometimes seven or eight Foot Water notwithstanding the Flats of Sand. It comes a great distance out of the Countrey and so inundates in the time of Rain viz. March April and May that with the violence of its Stream it sometimes carrieth away much of the Earth on one side which either joyns again on the other or else driven into the Sea The Winter there bears almost an equal temper with our Summer The Climate of Air. so that the People alter nothing of their Apparel nor require the warmth of Fire at that Season of the Year for the difference between Winter and Summer is scarely discernable onely the Air so long as it Rains is a little Cooler but the wet Season once past the Heat is almost intolerable especially two hours before and after Noon The Winter commences in mid March The Seasons of Rain and the Summer in September in the former the great Rains begin and continue March April May June July and August during which time they have scarce a clear day the lesser Rain in September and November The Summer on the other side is exceeding hot and dry This Countrey Congo is watry from the several Rivers hath great store of Water so that the Inhabitants are very curious in their choice of it for they will not drink the usual and every where to be had but take care for the freshest and best as appears by them of St. Salvadore who make not use of such as the adjoyning Plains afford them but cause their Slaves to fetch other more sound and healthy as they suppose out of Fountains a little lower on the North-side The Lands in the time of Rain by the muddiness of the water The King of the Land are made exceeding fruitful and fit to bring forth all manner of things The Dukedom of Batta and other lying round about hath fat and fertile ground affording all manner of Provision The Territory of Pembo especially about Saint Salvadore because of the fresh and serene Air abounds with rich Pastures Plants and produceth many flourishing and thriving Trees Here grows a kind of Grain by the Inhabitants call'd Luko Luko not unlike our Rye but smaller this they Grind into Meal by a Hand-Mill and make Bread of it Abundance also of Mille which the Natives call Mazza Manputo Mille or Mazza or Portuguese Corn as also Mais or Turky-Wheat wherewith they fat their Hogs and Rice in such plenty that it hardly bears any price Lemmons Oranges and Pome-Citron-Trees grow in every corner bearing fruit of a pleasant yet brisk taste also Bananasses Dates Coco-Nuts and Palm-Trees besides others producing Colas which the Inhabitants chaw as the Indians Betel
shape like a Prune but of a greenish yellow colour having great Stones within with some Pulp sharp of taste cooling and wholesom given to the Sick in stead of Refrigerative Juleps Tamarinds also grow here plentifully Tamarinds and very good Small Coco-Nuts which by some are taken to be of the same sort and the same nature against Poyson as the Coco-Nuts of the Island Maldivia lying between Madagascar and the Cape of India call'd Komorri and therefore call'd by the Portuguese Coquos de Moleva Maginette a sort of Grain like Pepper but bigger grows on Bunches within which are Seeds like those of a Pomegranate which taken out shew of a purple or dark red Colour but afterwards by drying in the Sun it grows black and hath a biting taste like Pepper There grows also a small Tree Pepper to the height of three or four Foot with small and narrow Leaves whose Fruit bears the resemblance of Coriander at first appearing in green Knots afterwards in Blossoms and lastly in a kind of small Grain These Benies grown ripe and dried in the Sun shrink like East-India Pepper turning black and hard and little differing from it in taste onely not so hot which makes it pleasant to eat and fit to be used in all Food It grows much in Benyn and many other places of Nether-Ethiopia Cotton grows wild here and if it were manur'd and look'd after might be had in great abundance It blossoms in June and July and is ripe in December Both Garden and Field-Fruits spring here with little Labor viz. Turneps Radishes Cabbages but more open than those with us Caulyflowers Carrots Purslane Spinage Sage Hyssop Thyme Sweet Majoram Coriander-seed and such like The Tree call'd in Portuguese Pon del Colra Poa del Cebra that is Serpents-wood hath a powerful Operation against Fevers as the Mofrossasonho prevails against Poyson Of the Root call'd Mandihoka by the Blacks of Angola Mandihoka and by the Islanders of New-Spain and the West-Indies Juca by the Mexicans Quauhkamotli and by the Portuguese Farina yields very good Meal whereof they make Bread as we of Wheat or Rye and other sorts of Dainties No Place in Angola besides produces so much of this Grain partly caused from the fruitfulness of the Soyl and partly from the neerness to the City Lovando Sante Paulo where the Markets are always ready to vend it This Plant is of divers sorts which seem all one at a distance yet both in Roots Colour and Worth are known to be far differing by the Husbandmen The Leaves of this Plant resemble those of an Oak of a deep Green The Shape with many Veins and Prickles the Stemm or Body shoots upright ten or twelve Foot high spreading with many Branches the Wood weak like a Willow the Blossom small and the Seed like Palma Christi but of no value onely the Root may be eaten In the Planting and using Mandikoka they practice this method After the Earth is prepared by being well wrought beaten small and thrown up in Hills like Mole-hills little Twigs or Slips cut off from the Branches of it about a Foot long and an Inch thick are set sloaping one against another on every Hill two or three Sticks with the ends about a Hand-breadth above the Earth which immediately take Root and in nine ten or twelve Moneths shoot up to the heighth of twelve Foot with many Branches and a Body as big as a Man's Thigh Then to make the Root grow large the Ground must be Weeded two or three times and kept clean And when it is grown to its perfect maturity they cut the Stemm close to the Earth being good for nothing but Fewel but the small Boughs they fit for the next Planting How the Root Mendikoka is ground to Meal and so from time to time Afterwards the Root being digg'd up and the Shell taken from they make it Farina by Grinding it in a Mill made like the Wheels of a Waggon but a Span broad upon the Soal Shod with Copper in which are made many sharp Points in manner of a Grater and underneath a Trough into which the Meal falls He which holds the Root to the Wheel hath divers little Boys to attend and bring him Roots as there are Slaves to take the grinded Meal out of the Trough to dry it in Copper Pans which to that end like a Furnace stand over the Fire For this work many Houses are built above a hundred Foot long and thirty or forty Foot broad wherein on both sides stand the Furnances that is on each side ten and three Mills unfixt and movable upon occasion from place to place Every Husband-man may make as much Farina or Meal as he thinks fit both for his own use and to sell and if he hath a House with twenty Furnaces useth commonly for Planting Weeding Howing Grinding and Drying fifty or sixty Slaves Every Alquer of Meal or two Aroben One Aroben is thirty two Pounds they sell sometimes in Lovando St. Paulo for two hundred and fifty or three hundred Rees The Gumm Almesiga distills from a Tree and smells like Gumm Elemi The Gumm Almesiga being a wholsom Medicine for many Distempers especially Colds and bruised Limbs From another Plant they extract Aloes found by experience no worse than that which comes from the Island Sokotorina Orore de Bitios an Herb so call'd for its Curing the Disease Bitios By the Rivers side grow the Trees Mosuma The Tree call'd Mosuma of which all the Canoos in that Countrey are made This Wood hath some similitude of Cork and sinks not though it be full of Water On these Trees grows the Kapok a Woody and soft Stuff which by Sea-faring People is used in Cushions and Bolsters in stead of Feathers The rest of the Trees are generally call'd Likonde or Alikonde The Tree Likonde delighting in dry Grounds Some of these enlarge to the thickness of eight ten or twelve Fathom in the Body but the Root never goes above a Foot under Ground so that the greatest of them may easily be blown down The Fruit resembles for bigness Palm-Nuts but somewhat longer having within a white Kernel yet never eaten by the Blacks but for hunger and want for it is a dangerous Food and causeth great Mortality The Wood of it is not fit to burn but of the Peeling of the Rind as we of Flax they make Clothes and Sacks for Mille and of the Stems or Bodies Canoos and Boats In Marshy places grow many Sugar-Canes Sugar-Canes but by report of the Inhabitants unfit for use and therefore not much Planted The Extract of the Cane is brown yet better than St. Thomas to make Sugar-Loaves On the Shore of the River of Kalukala and Ilamba they have many delicate Oranges and Lemons Citrons Pomegranates Pears Guayavas Gego's Ananasses and in some places Vines Planted by the Portuguese for the Blacks take no care to propagate foreign Plants In the Kingdom of
a Dance by them call'd Quimboara in which they say the Devil certainly enters one of them and out of him informs them of future and answers to past events But now many of them by the endeavour of the Portugal Jesuites The Angolians become Christians have been brought to the Catholick Religion especially in the year fifteen hundred eighty four at which time many thousands receiv'd Baptism insomuch that in Fifteen hundred and ninety there were above twenty thousand Families of Angolians found that were Christians and in the same year fifteen hundred more were converted the Portuguese to this day labour very much in the same good Work Every Sova hath a Chaplain in his Banza or Village to Christen Children and Celebrate Mass which on many works effectually to their confirmation though others in publick appearing Christians yet in private adhere to their damnable Idolatry The Supervising and Command of Lovando Sante Paulo Government of the City Lovando Sante Paulo by the Portuguese and the rest of Angola subject to the King of Portugal in matters of State lies in the hands of a Governor two Bradores or Burgesses and one Ovidor or Chief Justice for matters Criminal and two Judges call'd Jeuses with one Secretary The King of Portugal hath great Revenues from Angola The Revenues of the King of Portugal from Angola partly by the yearly Tributes of the Sovasen and partly by the Customs and Taxes set upon Exported and Imported Goods and Slaves This Revenue for all Rights and free Transportation to Brazil Rio dela Plata and other places is said to amount to a great summe of Money yearly which in Lisbon is Farm'd to one or more by the name of Contractadore who keeps his Factor in Lovando in the nature and with the authority of Consul deciding all matters of Trade and Money-businesses He hath to attend him one Secretary two Notaries and two Porteras or Door-keepers The Church-Government of the Portuguese in Lovando a Bishop manages Church-Government who is Suffragan of him of the Island of Sante Thombe by reason that Island prescribes antiquity and as shewing the first claims to be there the Mother-Church of the Christians The Island of LOVANDO BEfore the City Lovando Sante Paulo in eight degrees The Island Lovando and eight and forty minutes South-Latitude lies the Island of Lovando five miles with its North-Point to the West of the River Bengo making a good and convenient Haven for Shipping The whole being not above seven miles in length but in the broadest place it is not above half a League over insomuch as those that Sail by in a Ship may easily see the Sea run between it and the main Land Pigafet supposes it to have begun from the setlings of Sand and Mud thrown up there in heaps by force of the two greater Waters of Bengo and Quansa The whole spot appears an even Champaign but very dry and Sandy onely in some places may be seen a few Bushes and Brambles and on the North-side here and there some Haw-thorn Shrubs The Land by the Sea-side shoots down so steep and sloaping that the Sea not above a Musket-shot from the Shore hath above seven or eight and twenty Fathom Water and a mile from thence a Line of a hundred Fathom can reach no ground Pigafet places on this Island seven Towns Towns call'd Libar by the Inhabitants call'd Libar or Libata but Linschot will hardly allow them Villages however the Portuguese attribute to the best the title of Sante Esprit Here are two Churches or Chappels for the exercise of Religion and the Portuguese have divers Gardens and Orchards wherein grow Oranges Lemmens Citrons Pomegranates excellent Figs Bananos Coco-nuts Grapes and other Fruits but Corn is so great a stranger to it that they are compell'd to fetch Supply from other places This little Tract produces the great Tree by the Natives call'd Ensada by Clusius the Indian Fig-Tree by Linschot in Portuguese Arbor de Raiz that is the Rooting-Tree It springs up commonly with one thick body to a great height at the top shooting forth many branches from which pendulously descend several small Strings of a Golden colour which once touching the ground take fast root and spring up again like new Plants and in short time increase to a large Bulk from whence as the former fall new Pendulums that rooting again spread and so ad infinitum so that sometimes one single Tree will extend its bounds above a thousand paces and seems like a little Wood or Thicket The great Sprouts with so many close Boughs deny the Sun-beams a peeping place to view the inside of those vaulted Cavities whose redoubled Mazes yield three or four times reiterated Ecchos to such whose retirements draw them thither for divertisement and shadow The Leaves of the young Boughs resemble those of the Quince-Tree being of a whitish green and woolly The Fruit within and without red springs between the Leaves of the young Branches like an ordinary Fig. Very credible eye-witnesses report that under one of these Trees three thousand men may shelter Under its outermost or first Bark Of its Bark Clothes are woven they find somewhat like a Thred or Yarn which being beaten cleans'd and drawn out at length the common People make Cloth of This Tree grows also in Gon and the Indies where the Inhabitants by cutting away the thin Boughs make Arbors under them for cooleness and shade It seems contrary to the ordinary rules of experience Pigafet and therefore strange that digging here two or three hands breadth deep very swift Water rises at the time of the Seas flowing whereas digging at the time of ebb it cometh forth salt or brackish The Islanders use Canoos of the bodies of Date Trees joyn'd together in which they fight at Sea Formerly the Jages abode here but the Portuguese drove them out in the year Fifteen hundred seventy eight and pursu'd them to Massingan at the same time raising a Fort there for their security Under this Island are the Simbos taken up Here is the fishing of Simbos which carry'd to Congo and other places go for current Money so that this place may justly be term'd the Mint of Congo This Island obeys the King of Congo although by report The Island Lovando is under Congo beyond it he doth not possess one foot of ground Southward of Bengo upon the main Land however by that he claims to himself all the Revenue of the Fishery aforesaid and hath his Governor to oversee the same and take the King 's due which is indeed what he pleases and by compute amounts to eleven thousand Duckets Annually And although on all the Shores of Congo these fashion shells are found yet those of Lovando have the highest esteem by reason of their thin and shining black or gray colour This Island makes the Haven before the City Lovando Barra de Korimba where lieth two Entrances one on the South
call'd Barra de Korimba formerly bearing above five Fathom water but is at present almost fill'd up and choak'd with Sand on the other side of this Entrance heretofore the Portuguese had two Batteries but the force of the water hath almost wash'd them away About two miles from Barra de Korimba on the main Land Punto de Palmarinho appears a little Promontory in Portuguese call'd Punto del Palmarinho A mile and a half more Southerly lieth the Sleepers-Haven Sleepers-Haven and also the Clay-Ovens or Lime-Kilns where the Portuguese burn Lime and Oyster-shells Four miles and a half from Sleepers-Haven you come to the River Quansa where formerly stood a Fort of the Netherlanders which we mention'd before call'd Moll 's The Territory of Quisama or Quissamba THe Territory of Quisama or according to Pigafet Quissamba The Territory of Quisama lieth on the South-side of the River Quansa and spreads thence twenty miles upward and more This Countrey as the rest comprehends divers Dominions It is divided into diver Dominiens of all which Motchima claims the rule as chief Lord viz. Zourube Godgo Zautatsa Molunua Katakahajo and Zuino The Natives here need not complain of Nature as a Step-mother the Land without any great labour producing abundance of Mille for Bread besides other useful Plants and Trees as particularly The Alikonda eight or ten Fathom round but very porus and weak Trees Alikenda fit for no use but to make Trays to hold water their innermost Bark some convert into a kind of Thred whereof they make Aprons or Coats to wear about their bodies The Portugueses Quacumburez which the natives call Quisamo Trees Quacumburez never grows bigger than a mans Waste with few Leaves but thick and large the Wood so tender that a strong man with a Sword may cut it quite in two out of the rifts in the body flows a great deal of juyce like Milk but of so poysonous and destroying a quality that if any one should get the least drop thereof in their Eyes they would instantly grow blind The same juyce pour'd into the water will immediately cause the Fish to swim at the top as if they were dead The Blacks hold the shadow of this Tree poyson and will not be perswaded to rest under it for they say that the juyce is so great a corrosive as 't will gnaw their bowels in pieces without possibility of help or Antidote as hath been experienc'd by a Lord that was poyson'd with it by his Slaves The Beasts breeding in these Parts Beasts are Hogs Goats Bucks Sheep wild Cows Elephants Tygers and Leopards In short the same conveniences may be had here as in Ilamba and Enraka Fresh Water they have none Want of Water save such as is gather'd in the time of Rain and preserv'd in Troughs made of hollow Trees and the Places where they keep them are reserved by the Fetisies command with so strict a secrecy that if by misfortune any fall into the Enemies hand he will rather be cut in pieces than be brought to discover them In the Lordships of Zuina Salt-Mynes Gungo and Katta Kabajo great Mountains lift up their Heads whose open'd sides shew many Salt-pits which those Blacks subject to the Sovasen under whose power they are may freely fetch out by their Slaves paying the appointed Custom This they dig out in Pieces of a Dutch Ell long and a Hand broad every one weighing eighteen or twenty Pounds as clear as a piece of Ice or Crystal and as white as our best Salt and of so good a savor that a little Piece put in a Pot or Kettle give both the Liquor and Meat a pleasant seasoning From the bowels they dig Iron Iron-Mynes but enough onely to make Arms and Implements for Tillage or Husbandry The best Trade of these Quisamites consists in the fore-recited Salt and Mille Trade which they exchange for Slaves to be employ'd in the digging of it for they work not themselves out of an opinion of their noble Extract And not onely the Blacks but the Portuguese also buy great quantities of it for their People no other being to be got unless from Lovando The Blacks of Lovando appropriate to themselves the whole Countrey on the South-side of Quansa for twenty Leagues The Island of LIBOLO IN the next place follows The Territory of Libolo towards the South Libolo bordering with one Point to the East on the Empire of Monopotapa but in the South at Rio Longo near Benguelle 'T is parted into many Sub-divisions thirty of which the Portuguese brought under some years ago and keep them still in strict Command and obedience reaping great advantage from Cattel which are the same here as we mention'd before in other parts of Angola and exceeding them in nothing but plenty of Bees and Honey More we cannot inform you of from hence for that they lie as yet undiscover'd to our European Merchants The Countrey of BENGUELA or BEGALA THis Countrey Modern Geographers place at the Sea-Coast and make it spread from the River Quansa to Cabo Negro in the heighth of sixteen Degrees though others will have it go farther than Rio Longo in eleven Degrees and four Minutes South Latitude The Places Rivers Bays and Villages lying at the Sea-Coast within that compass may be these About three miles from the South Point of Quansa lieth Maysotte-Bay before which a small Rock hides it self Three miles and a half forward you arrive at Cabo Ledo And five from thence appears Cabo de tres Puntas Cabo Ledo And two miles yet Southerly Cabo Falso And five beyond that another Six miles and a half from Cabo St. Bras lieth Hens-Bay Hen-Bay so call'd from the abundance of Hens thereabouts and between both Benguella Viella that is Old Benguela a Champaign and very fruitful Countrey The Hen-Bay contains about a mile and a half in breadth holding ten or twelve Fathom Water with muddy Ground On the South-side stands a great Village on a Hill where large Cows Sheep Hens and Elephants-Teeth may be had yet they have no fresh Water Three miles and a half from this Bay lieth Rio Longo Rio Lengo otherwise call'd Rio Moreno in eleven Degrees and four Minutes South Latitude so shallow at the Mouth that a small Boat cannot go in or out without difficulty In former times the Portuguese attempted to enlarge the Entrance into this River but by reason of its shoalness the strong Water-falls and great numbers of Rocks they found it not feasible Five miles from Rio Longo appears a great Village nam'd Manikikongo upon the Ascent a high Mountain where the Portuguese once had a Store-house and bought Cows Hogs and Elephants-Teeth for Linnen and East-India pressed Clothes The Inhabitants here are very earnest for Musquets and Powder Eleven miles from Manikikongo runs the Salt River Katon-belle dividing it self in two or three Branches being free from all Winds
and in a short time learned the use of it At last the King shewed them a place just without their Hutches to take their Repose in at conveniency The same Year Thirteen more sent cut to the same end on the thirteenth of November were fourteen more sent out and the next Year on the thirteenth of February twelve of them return'd the other having been kill'd by an Elephant These having been above an hundred Miles in the Countrey could find none of those People but at last by some other Negroes were inform'd That the Namaqua's were withdrawn so far that there was no likelihood to come near them that Year By which means both the said Attempts became fruitless These Namaqua's are of a great and gigantick Stature and numerous in People The Women are handsome-bodied and well-shaped but rather by Nature than Art Clothes for they are nothing curious in their Habits all going dress'd in Skins of Beasts wrapp'd about their Bodies Their Ornaments are Glass Cambayan Beads which they buy from the Portuguese about Monomotapa Kortada Bellugarins c. for Cattel The Men wear an Ivory Plate made very artificially before their Privacies and a round Hoop of the same on one Arm besides many Copper Rings Every Namaqua hath always a small handsom Stool made of Wood and Ropes hanging upon his Arm which he carries every where along with him to sit upon The Government consists in a Single Person the present nam'd Akambia Government whose three Sons are of an extraordinary Stature BRYGOUDA'S SOmewhat farther into the Countrey dwell another People call'd Brygouda's Brygouda's of whom little can be said in regard few if any Europeans ever convers'd with them Onely the Namaqua's report them very populous rich Are populous and full of Cattel beyond all that live about the Cape of Good Hope HEUSAQUA'S THe Heusaqua's lie North-West-ward from the Great Cape Heusaqua's but so far distant that little knowledge hath been gained of them and that from bare report none having ever seen their Countrey or been among them the best Intelligence hath been drawn from the Mouths of three of themselves that came to the Fort of Good Hope with the Governor Chainouqua's to sell some Cattel and returned with all convenient speed These Heusaqua's onely maintain themselves with Planting for the rest of the Hottentots neither Sowe nor Plant of a powerful Root Maintain themselves by planting the Root Dacha which they call Dacha sometimes eating it otherwhiles mingling it with Water to drink either of which ways taken causeth Ebriety When they become intoxicated therwith they play many strange and antick Tricks as if they were mad in the middle of which the Women come and strew the dried and pulverized Herb Boggoa on their Heads being of a yellow colour and strong scent and for that onely use fetch'd from the Mountains These People have great skill in the catching both old and young Lions in Snares which they make tame and lead with a Rope about their Necks like a Dog Some of their Lions which they have had along time they frequently carry to the Wars and by that means put their Enemies to flight without any resistance A thing that seems very strange yet most certainly used amongst them All the Places of Kafrarie known by the People of Europe generally lie at the Sea-coast being principally Capes Bays and Havens for Towns or Villages there are none the Savage Inhabitants contenting themselves with the homely Covert of moveable Huts after the manner of the wild Arabs This Countrey shoots very far into the South Cabo de Bona Esperanza or Cape of Good Hope shewing several Capes and Promontories amongst which the cheifest the Cape of Good Hope or Cabo de Bona Esperanza lieth in four and thirty Degrees and one and twenty Minutes South Latitude When this Point was discover'd and why so call'd we have before related The next and most Southerly Point of Africa the Portuguese call Cabo das Anguilhas Cabo das Aiguilhas or Needle-Cape the Needle-Cape or the Head of the Needle situate about twenty Dutch Miles Eastward from the Cape of Good Hope in full thirty five Degrees South Latitude It was so call'd by them from the Compass-Needle which they observ'd to stand due South and North at this Point but several late experienc'd Sea-men affirm it to vary five or six Degrees from the North West-ward Here lieth a great Shelf of Sand full of Fishes which extends eighteen Miles into the Sea beginning in the West by the Sweet River and ending in the East at the Fish-Bay Between these Points Cabo Falso or False Cape in the Height of four and thirty Degrees and a half five or six Miles Eastward of the Hope appears Cabo Falso or False Cape for Sailing out of India and making this Cape in clear Weather they mistook it for that of Good Hope by reason of its near resemblance to the same but coming nearer they found their Error This Cape may be known by three high Hills near adjoyning to each other whereof the two outermost are highest The Cape of Good Hope appears in the form of a hanging Island with a small Isthmus between two Bays joyn'd to the Main Land and contains several high and craggy Mountains of which two more remarkable the Table and the Lion-Mountain The Table-Mountain Table-Mountain or Table-Cape in Portuguese call'd Tavoa de Cabo lieth about an hours Journey from the Shore Southward of the Fresh and Salt River and hath received that name from its shape because it is flat on the top like a Table At the Salt River they climb up this Mountain by a Cliff in all other places not being ascendible by reason of its great steepness and that way asks four or five hours Labor to gain the top And this height makes it visible above ten Leagues to the Offin Against ill Weather two or three Hours before 't is so cover'd with thick Mists and Clouds that they cannot discover the top Close by Table-Mount Fragosos lie those towring Hills in a row which the Portuguese call Os Picos Fragosos The Lion-Mountain Lion-Mountain so call'd either from the abundance of Lions upon it or because it appears out at Sea like a Lion lieth somewhat more Westerly and closer to the Sea than the Table so that its Tail makes the Point at the end of the Bay Between these two appears a pleasant Valley Near the Table riseth another Wind-Mountain call'd Wind-Hill because always troubled with rough Winds Beyond these to the South you come to a Valley over-grown with Brambles other Bushes and Wood. Further up into the Countrey are some standing-standing-Waters over-grown with Bulrushes Canes and Sedg-weeds wherein breed many Wild-fowl Geese Duck Teal Snipes and such like Along the Sea-coast several good Bays or Creeks open themselves affording convenient Havens for Ships Eighteen Miles North-West from the Cape of Good Hope lieth Soldanha-Bay
Soldanha-Bay Memoires de Thomas Roe where the Soldanhars have their chief Residence Some would make the Countrey lying at this Bay an Island contrary to the receiv'd Opinion of all Geographers and to support their Fancy aver That it is divided from the Main Land of Africa by a deep Bay at the South-East side and on the East side by a small River below Table-Mountain and inhabited by five or fix hundred People CABO DE BONE ESPERANSE At Table-Bay and the foot of the Table-Mountain The Fort or strength of the Netherland West-India Company the Netherlanders have a Fort for the defence and shelter of their Shipping in their Voyages Built in a Quadrangular form Fortifi'd with a great many Pieces of Ordnance and a convenient Garrison of Souldiers strong enough to repulse any Army of native Assailants By which they have a Garden of fifteen Acres of ground Planted with several Trees and Fruits besides the Plantation on the other side of Table-Mountain full as big again A Governor Commands this Fort assisted by two Merchants a Book-keeper or Clerk Accomptant some Assistants and a Serjeant over the Souldiers all which are chief Men and Councellors Without this Fort divers free people of several Nations have their residence transported out of Holland and maintain themselves chiefly by Tillage and Planting but they pay for their Priviledge a part of their Harvest to the Governor for the Benefit and Advantage of the Company In the Latitude of four and thirty degrees and forty minutes Eastward of the Needle-Cape lieth another Bay first call'd Flesh-Bay Flesh-Bay by reason of the abundance of Cattel to be had there This Bay wherein lyeth a small Island standing open to all Winds except on the North and at the West-side runs a Brook of fresh Water from the Mountain yielding no small refreshment to Sea-men Eight or ten miles Eastward you arrive at Fish-Bay Fish-Bay so nam'd from its abundance of Fishing Fifteen or twenty miles Eastward hereof in the elevation of four and thirty degrees and thirty minutes you discover Muscle-Bay so call'd by the Dutch Muscle-Bay but by the Portuguese Seno Formoso that is Faire-Bay Next Seno Formoso follow Seno del Lago that is The Bay of the Lake Faire-Bay because the Sea hath wash'd into the Shore in such a manner that it seems to be a great Lake rather than a Bay containing many Islands and Havens and amongst others Ilehos Ctaos Between these are three Capes plac'd in the Maps viz. Cabo de Sante Fransisko Cabo das Sorras and Cabo do Aregito and an Isle call'd The Island of Content Somewhat higher Northerly the River St. Christopher glides along Rio de Santo Christian the Portugnese call it Rio de Sante Christian and the Inhabitants Nagoa in whose Mouth three Islands are seen Next this River appears a Tract of Land by the Portuguese call'd Terra de Natal that is The Land of the Nativity of Christ so call'd from the day of its first discovery The Southermost Countrey of these parts is water'd by three known Rivers besides many other unknown Rivers viz. The Sweet and Salt River and Rio de Jakquelina Just about the foot of Lion-Mountain flows the Sweet River Sweet-Rivers which takes its beginning out of the descent of Table-Mount and runs down very swiftly through not above knee-deep Pigafet will have this River take its Original out of the Lake Gale between the Mountains of the Moon on the West-side and to fall into the Sea by False-Cape whereas the common African Maps place there the River Kamissa To the East beyond Terra de Natal opposite to this little River in the year Sixteen hundred forty and four some few Dutchmen erected a Fort or Bulwark with four Angles for the defence of this fresh water but they never finished it Half a mile Eastward runs the Salt-River so call'd from its plenty of Salt for on a great place of Sand three or four miles upwards by heat and drought so much fine and white Salt continually grows that a Ship might soon be Laden therewith Rio de Jackquelina hath its Original within the Countrey and its Out-let about half a mile Eastward into Table-Bay As to the Air quality of the Soyl Plants Beasts Customs Food Cloathing Arms Language Religion and Worship of this people in general we cannot say much that little we shall speak will have onely relation to the Hottentots lying close to the Cape as the Garouchouquas Goringhuiquas Goringhaiconas Cochoquas or Saldanhans great and little Cariguriquas and Hosaas for of the rest viz. the Vanouquas Cabonas Sonquas Mamaquas Heusaquas Brigoudys Hancumquas hitherto little or no information hath been had other than that in general they agree with those that lie nearest to the Cape The Air about the Cape of Good-Hope is always Serene Air. Clear and Temperate and by consequence very Healthy because neither the Heat parches nor the Cold pierces too much In June and July blow the stiffest and sharpest storms of Wind from the Southerly Points which continue till December mix'd with Mists Snow and Frost so that the waters in June and July are often Frozen the thickness of the back of a Knife The Vale-Winds Wind. or Hurricans blow sometimes so terribly from the Mountains which are commonly cover'd with thick Clouds which hover there and break with that violence as if all above ground would be rent to pieces At this time when the Winds bluster and tear so horribly they make a hollow Sea at the Point which too often proves dangerous for Ships It Rains there in the Winter that is in May or June so extreamly as if it did almost pour down whereby the low grounds are laid under Water yet without any prejudice for after the falling away of the Water the ground appears more fresh and flourishing The Soyl about the Cape is in some places very rich and ferile fit to be Husbanded and to produce all manner of Fruits although other parts be full of Clay Stony Gravelly or Sandy some Trees grow here and there but so hard and knotty as makes them fit onely for Fuel yet the natives report that in the Countrey there grow such Trees that a hundred men may shelter themselves under one of them perhaps the Indian Fig-Tree by Linschot call'd Arbar de Rais. There grow in the Winter Plants especially among the Saldanhars certain little roots which they eat some of them have a taste like Anniseeds others like Jerusalem-Artichokes others as Acorns The Valleys and Plains under lie verdur'd with Grass and sweet Herbs which being boyl'd with fresh Meat make a pleasant Sallet Close by the Fort of Good-Hope on a Mountain call'd The Vineyard the Netherlanders have Planted forty thousand Vine-stocks which all at this day send forth lusty Sprouts and Leaves and bear Grapes in such abundance that sometimes they press Wine of them They have there also Peaches Apricocks
gray Fowl almost like a Lapwing Pheasants little bigger than Swallows white-feather'd with gray or black Specks ringstreaked and speckled in their Bodies and therefore easie to be known from the other The Gavoitoyns or Dyvers which sit in the Water about the Cape Garagias almost the same with the Alcatraces Jan-van-Genten or white Plovers tipt with black at the end of their Wings Another sort of great Fowls call'd in Portuguese Mangas de Velludo or Velvet-Parrots have black Tufts like Velvet on their Wings and in flying hold them not steady but flutter as Pigeons As the Air is thus replenished with good Fowl no less doth the Sea Fishes and other Waters abound with the variety of Fish particularly one sort call'd Huygen in shape like Carps being of a very pleasant taste Rough Mullets Lobsters Breams and Crabs of a large size Mussles also among the Rocks and great and small Oysters with Pearls in them In Table-Bay and thereabouts play many Whales and other great Fishes Bottle-heads out of which may be boyl'd Train-Oyl as well as out of Whales The People which dwell about and near the Cape of Good Hope The Constitution of the Kaffers or Hottentots are of a middle Stature Slouch-body'd and uncomely of Person of a Tawny colour like Mulletto's But those about Flesh-Bay are somewhat smaller The Hair of their Heads in general resembles Lambs Wool short and Curl'd but the Womens thicker than the Mens especially among the Cobona's They have broad Foreheads but wrinkled clear and black Eyes but all both Men Women and Children have Camosie-Noses and blab-Lips Their Mouthes well fashion'd and bearing a proportionable bigness every way with very clean and white Teeth Their Necks are of an ordinary length with narrow Shoulders and long Arms but about the Wrists very thin their Hands well shaped their Fingers long letting their Nails grow like Eagles Talons which they count an Ornament Most of them have their Bellies long and wrinkled with Buttocks sticking out Their Legs handsom but small Calves little Feet especially the Women They are swift of Foot and so strong that some can stop an Ox in his full course The Women are little of Stature especially among the Cochoqua's or Saldanhars and some cut their Faces as if they were drawn with a Pencil The Married Women are so great Breasted that they can give them into the Mouthes of their Children to Suck behind over their Shouldets where they commonly carry them All the Kaffers are void of Literature They are Unlearned stupidly dull and clownish and in understanding are more like Beasts than Men but some by continual converse with European Merchants shew a few sparks or glimmerings of an inclination to more humanity Notwithstanding this their bruitish ignorance they observe the Laws and Customs of the Countrey with as much seriousness and observance as the most orderly People in Europe as a proof whereof you may take this Instance In the Year Sixteen hundred fifty nine when the Cape-men happen'd to be at ods and controversie with the Netherlanders being asked what cause they had for that Quarrel gave for answer that it was onely in return of the wrong done them by the Netherlanders in taking away their Seed and Lands as before we have more fully related In kindness and fidelity towards their Neighbors They are kind and faithful they shame the Dutch and all other Europeans because whatsoever one hath they willingly and readily impart it to others be it little or much Sometimes by eating the Root Dacha mixed with Water they become Drunk and then go about not knowing what they do others constrain'd by poverty seek here and there to take what they can find from any body but if it happen to come to light their Skin must pay dear for it There appears also among them some sparks of Pride for when they come to the Fort of Good Hope they cast on their filthiest greaziest and most stinking Skins and adorn their Ears and Necks with red and yellow Copper Beads supposing themselves exceeding pompously dressed Notwithstanding the meanness and poverty of their Condition yet they bear a high mind and are ambitious they will rather fall to open enmity than a Like our Quakers bow or give any reverence to each other and he that gets the Victory doth not onely play the Lord for that one time but always vaunts and braves it over his vanquished Enemy Their Clothing is very sordid The Clothing of the Men. and vile most of the Men wearing onely a Sheeps Pelt or Badgers Skin in manner of a Mantle about their Shoulders with the hairy side commonly within and ty'd under their Chin. Such a Mantle consists of three Pieces neatly sew'd together with Sinews of Beasts in stead of Threed When they go abroad or upon a Journey they throw another Sheeps-skin with the Wool on the out-side over the undermost Upon their Heads they wear a Cap of Lamb-skin with the Woolly side inward and a Button on the top Their Shoes are made of a Rhinocerot's Skin and consists of a whole flat Piece before and behind of a like heighth with a Cross of two Leatherbands fasten'd to their Feet Before their Privacies hangs a little piece of a wild Wood-Cat or ring-streaked Tyger or Jack-alls Skin ty'd behind with two Thongs DRACHT en WAPENING der HOTTENTOTS The Habit of the Women differs little from the former The Habit of the Women being a Sheep-skin Mantle on the upper part of their Bodies with the Wool inwards but somewhat longer than the Men also another Skin hanging behind to cover their back-parts and a square Piece before their Privacies On their Heads they wear a high Cap of a Sheeps or Badgers Skin bound to their Heads with a broad Fillet In all the rest following the Mens Garb. No less uncomely are their choycest Ornaments for the Men have their Hair dressed up or adorn'd with Copper-plates white little Horns and great Beads They pull all the Hair out of their Chins and daub their Faces with Black and then anoint them with Grease and Tallow and thereby seem as if they never were washed Those which dwell close by the Cape on the Shore and come to the Netherlanders Ships presently run to the Cook 's Kettle or Pottage-pot and anoint themselves with the Soot thereof which they esteem a Princely Ornament Such as are rich and have good stocks of Cattel liquor the out-side of their Mantles and Caps with Grease whereas the Poor wear them starved and unliquor'd Also most of the Princes and Kings and Kings Daughters particularly the King of Cocoquas his Vice-Roy and Daughter Mamis wear fat besmear'd Skins In their Ears they hang great bunches of Beads of which some contain ten or eleven Strings each weighing near a quarter of a Pound About their Necks they put red and yellow Copper Chains or Bracelets of Beads and upon their Arms Ivory Armlets and forwards near the Wrists Bracelets
yellowish with lank or uncurl'd Hair hanging down at length who daily come to Trade with the foremention'd Islands They of Pombo d'Okango being ask'd how many days journey they had from Okango to this Lake answer'd that at the speediest they could scarce arrive there in sixty days These Jages are like in Manners Wars and Savageness to the Jages of Ansico for they eat up all those that they take Prisoners in the Wars or serve them as Slaves and for Ornament have also Feathers stuck through their Noses and both the upper Teeth before are struck out without which marks none can be receiv'd in their Bands or Companies as we have at large before related The Kingdom of SOFALA THe Kingdom of Sofala lieth between the Rivers Magnice and Quama upon the last of which it borders in the North Borders and the Kingdom of Angoche in the South on that of Magnice and the Territory of Buttua or Toroa in the West on Monomotapa and in the East on the Indian Sea The chief City seated in an Island they call Cefola or Sofala The chief City Sofala near which the Portuguese have a strong Fort built in the year Fifteen hundred This City when the Portuguese first came to it had but a small extent and the Structures were very mean but since that much improv'd with neat built Houses Linschot places here few other Cities and Towns Geoge Nub. contrary to the fancy of divers African Geographers who reckon Hantema and Dandenia besides some stragling Huts term'd Villages on the shore as Sajona Boccha and Gasta The River Magnice seven and twenty degrees The River Magnice and forty minutes South-Latitude was at the beginning call'd by the Portuguese Rio dos Lagos that is The River of the Lake but afterwards in the year Fifteen hundred forty five Rio do Spirito Sancto Joseph Barros lib. 10. c. 1. It hath its rise as some conjecture out of the Lake Goijame and after it has flow'd along way to Sofala divides its self one of which keeps the old name and disembogues his stream into the Sea between the Fish-Cape and the Cape das Torrentas having first receiv'd three other Streams of which the chiefest is call'd by the Portuguese St. Christophers River because found on that day but by the Inhabitants Magoa the other call'd Marches from Lawrence Marches the first discoverer both which pour down from the Mountains of the Moon in the Territory of Toroa the third stil'd Arroe comes about the North from the midst of the Gold Mines of Monomatapa The other Arm of Magnice The River Quama entitul'd Cenama or Quama or Covanga takes denomination from a Castle or Fort which Pigafet says the Mahumetans possess on its shore but higher up the Inhabitants name it Sambere This arm hath more plenty of water than the other being Navigable above twenty miles and receiving the Stream of Six other great Rivers as Panhames Luangoa Arruga Manajova Grain Gold Inandire and Ruenie all which make their way through Monomotapa in many places casting up Grain-Gold it empties it full-gorg'd Channel into the Sea by seven Mouths which make seven Islands all well peopled At the mouth of this River the Portuguese have a Fort to keep the Inhabitants under obedience built in the year Fifteen hundred The Kingdom of Sofala shoots not far into the Countrey but lies wholly on the Sea-Coast in the midst of it appears the Cape das Correntas in three and twenty degrees and a half South-Latitude between which Cape and the Island of Madagacar over against this Cape lieth the Banks or Cliffs of India call'd in Portuguese Baixos da India very dangerous and causing many Shipwracks They begin about the one and twentieth degree South-Latitude in the Channel of the Coast of Sofala Matuka reacheth from Cape das Correntas to the River Cuama The Countrey of Matuka or Quama wherein are several Gold Mines belonging to Monomotapa On the Coast of Sofala in the Countrey of Matuka lieth the Capes of St. Sabastian and St. Catherine The Air is healthy and temperate The Air. the Land some places plain and in some uneven barren and desolate from the mouth of the River Magnice to the Cape das Corrintas but from thence to Quama very fruitful and populous Matuka bears not an equal evenness Sanus though being by Quama River for the most part Mountainous Scbiq Spilberg 1601. Woody and interlac'd with many Rivulets the Sea Coast low and plain full of shrubby Trees whose sweet smelling scent heretofore gave a quicker discovery than the eye could make of the place Great wild Elephants numerously overspread the Countrey Beasts which the Natives neither know how to tame or manage nor are Lions Bears Stags or Harts and Bores fewer besides Sea-Horses that sport themselves in the River Quama The Mines and Rivers afford abundance of Gold Abundance of Gold which the Blacks gather in a kind of little Purses of no small quantity The People are well-set The constitution of the Inhabitants and for the most part black though some brownish Those which dwell at Cape Carnidos are less wild than them about Aiguilhas or the Cape of Good-Hope also taller of stature and free of converse they feed on Rice Flesh and Fish They go with the upper part of their bodies naked Clothing but wear upon the nether part from the Waste to the Knees Clothes of Silk or Cotton girt to them with a Girdle whereto hangs a Dagger with an Ivory handle and winde about their heads Silk Stuff in form of a Turbant though some wear Scarlet Colour'd Caps Some of them speak Arabick Language but most use the common Language of the Countrey for you are to observe that these present people are not the proper Natives of the place but came before the Portuguese on this Coast over Sea from Arabia Faelix to Trade with those of Monomotapa And as they found greater advantage by the increase thereof they began to Plant fresh Colonies in the void and desolate Islands and at length remov'd thence into the main Countrey The Inhabitants relate The Riches Navig di Tâ—o Lopez that the Gold-Mines of Sofala afford yearly two Millions of Metigals every Metigal accounted for a Ducket and one third part and that the Ships of Zidem Meque and many other places in times of Peace have yearly fetch from thence two Millions of Gold And lastly that this is the very true Ophir from whence King Solomon had his Gold Hence King Solomon setchâ—â— his Gold Moq. lib. 4. And indeed according to the Writing of Moquett no place in Africa affords better and greater plenty of this Metal for the General of Mosambique during his three years Service in the Wars receiv'd more than three hundred thousand Esckusos or Crowns in Gold besides the Pay of the Souldiers and the third part answer'd to the King of Portugal The Inhabitants Trade
by one of its chiefest Mouths near the Kingdom of Melinde The Portuguese Writers will have this River Quilmanzi to be the same with Zebee which rises out of Maria a Territory in the Abyssynes from a place call'd Boxa and from thence running South with a swift course into the Kingdom of Gingiro Other Portuguese affirm That it lieth no more than a thousand Paces from Melinde being a very great River flowing out of the Abyssine Countrey but that they could never attain the full knowledge thereof because those that were sent to discover it were driven back and assaulted by the Inhabitants The Air is very Unhealthy Feaverish and Corrupt Air. and no less unwholsome are the products of the Earth caus'd partly from the Moorassness of the Grounds and partly from the multitude of Rivers and Lakes which makes this Countrey a great pack of Islands The Inhabitants are black having short curl'd Hair The constitution of the Inhabitants they go from the shoulders down to the middle naked but have their nether parts cover'd with party colour'd Clothes or wild Beasts Skins the Tails whereof especially among people of Quality hang down behind The Blacks on the Sea-Coast and of the near adjacent Islands Food live upon Fruits the flesh of wild Beasts and milk of the Cattel which they breed especially the Moors call'd Beduines who dwell a little deeper into the Countrey and Trade with the Kaffers Gold is none of the least advantages drawn from this Countrey Riches wherewith it so abounds for which onely they get a supply of all other necessaries The Natives of the Main-Land are Idolaters Religion but the Islanders almost all Mahumetans extracted from certain Arabians exil'd from their Countrey for introducing of some Heresie in their Religion as following the Doctrine of one Zaid Nephew of Hocem Son of Haly whereupon they were call'd Emossayders The Islands of QUIRIMBA OVer against Zanguebar L'Ambassade de D. Garvas Figuerra en Perse lie the Islands of Quirimba extending above fifteen miles along the Coast to the out-lying Point call'd in Portuguese Cabo del Gabo They are not all of one equal bigness nor alike distant from the Main-land and sever'd one from another by Channels so small and shallow that at low-low-Water they may be Waded over And although each Island hath its particular name yet the Portuguse call them all Quirinba The Islands were formerly inhabited by the Arabians as may plainly appear by the Ruines of the Houses and Mosques being built by people less barbarous than those that have their Residence there at this day of Lime Stone and Tiles like the Cities of Quiloa Monbaza and Melinde But since the Portuguese began to set forth their Ships to the East-Indies the Souldiers and Mariners out of a natural hatred and antipathy to all Mahumetans thought it not enough to rob them burn their Houses and Mosques and to carry them away for Slaves but with a sweeping Rage sparing neither Age nor Sex destroy'd all of the remainder These Islands many years since lay waste and void of people till some Portuguese from the Main-Land wafted themselves over thither and planted them and so became subject to the Governor of Mayambique about three and thirty miles from thence from whence every year cometh a Judge to decide Controversies The Lord of every Island hath his House built of Stone and Lime wherein resides his Wife Children and Slaves of both Sexes as also Friends and Servants whom they hire to have their assistance against the Negro's of the Main-Land which by their living so near are ready enough to do them a mischief And therefore both themselves and Slaves are Arm'd with Muskets Pistols and other Weapons Most of these Islands are not above half a mile or a mile in compass but very fruitful full of Palmito-Trees Oranges Figs Grapes Herbs and Pome-Citrons and excellently accommodated with fresh Water They have besides many Oxen Cows Goats and an infinite number of Fowl among which Wild-Pigeons and Turtle-Doves but Corn Rice Drugs dry'd and confected Fruits are brought to them from Ormus The Island of Quirinba is the biggest and was the first Peopled yet hath onely twenty five Houses inhabited by Portuguese and Mesties they stand not close together but lie scatter'd here and there two or three together Every one of these little Islands hath their own Governor which every three year are chang'd From Gou they receive a Dominican Priest who celebrates Mass and performs all other Sacred Duties to which end there stands a Cloyster in the midst of the Houses whither all those of these Islands come to do their Devotion The second of these Islands call'd Oybo Oybo is not so big as Quirinba but the Air more temperate and fresher so that a man may well say that the whole makes one pleasant Garden moisten'd and besprinkled in many places with the best and most wholsomest Waters in the world The other Islands have no Road nor Haven where Ships can come to an Anchor because in the deepest Channel at a low Ebb there is not three Foot water Over this Island Oybo a Portuguese Commands who dwells in a great and handsome House with Chambers below and above and behind it a Garden incompass'd with a Stone-Wall of two Fathom high with Spiers at the top so that it may seem in stead of a Bulwark This with assistance of his Houshold Family who are all Arm'd may be defended against any Incursion of the Blacks from the Main-Land if they should offer to attempt it but they live in good Peace one with another because of their mutual Trade The Kingdom of MONGALO and ANCHE or ANGOS UPon one side of the River Quama lieth Mongalo a Tract of Land inhabited by Mahumetans or Moors They have abundance of Gold brought thither from Monomotapa not far from thence you see the River Ango by Pigafet call'd in Italian Agnoscia by Moquet in French Angoche but by Barbosa Angos The Countrey produces great store of Mille Rice and Cattel The Inhabitants are of a middle Stature but very black they go with the upper part of the body naked but cover'd from the Girdle downward with Cotton and Silk Clothes Some wear Turbants upon their heads and others Caps made of Silk Stuff They use a peculiar form of Speech though many of them speak Arabick Language These Moors of Angos are all Merchants Trading in Gold Ivory Cotton Silk Their Customs Clothes and Kambain Beads or Bracelets The Cotton Silk Cloth and Beads they receive from the hands of the Merchants of Quiloa Mombaze and Melinde which bring them thither in small Baskets or Almides cut out of the whole Wood. They own no Governor unless one who speak their proper Language and by profession a Mahumetan yet all their care doth not keep them from a mixture of Heathenism The Kingdom of MOZAMBIKE A Little beyond Angos appeareth the Kingdom of Mozambike so call'd from the
Island of that name exceeding those her two neighbors of St. James and St. George living all three near at the Mouth of the River Meginkate Over against St. Georges Island but at the distance of an English mile you may see a Point call'd Cabo Ceira being a hanging Islet joyn'd to the Main-Land of Africa by a small Istbmus overflow'd at high-High-Water but at other times passable on Foot The Countrey of Mozambike is very fertile in producing many sorts of Fruits Plants as Rice Citrons Oranges and Mille which the Blacks are compell'd to guard and defend against Elephants by the kindling of Fires whereof these Beasts are very much afraid There groweth also a certain Plant call'd Pao or Wood of Antak which creeps along the ground and is very like the Herb Aristolachia or Heart-Wort The Fruit is long small with green Seeds or Grains The Roots have a strange vertue in curing a Disease call'd Antak which seizes on the Foreigners by conversing with the Blacks and can be expell'd by no other Medicine The Inhabitants make Wine of Mille which they call Huyembe or Pembe Here is no want either of tame or wild Fowl Animals nor of Stags or Harts wild Hogs Cows Oxen and Elephants which last are so numerous that the Inhabitants dare not travel without fire to defend them from their assaults Wild Hens breed in the Woods being speckled with many small white and gray spots their Heads are much less than our common Hens with a short Comb but thick and of a high colour and not onely the upper part of the Head but also part of the Neck cover'd with a blue Skin like a Turky Many Silver Gold and other Mynes are found in the Countrey The People have short Curl'd Hair The Constitution of the Inhabitants great Lips long Visages and very large Teeth They go stark naked onely a blue little Clout before their Privacies They Paint ther Bodies with divers Colours but account it the greatest Ornament to have streaks of a certain red Earth They make in each Lip three holes in which they hang Bones Jewels and other things But this Fashion and Trimming eminent People onely use They feed in general upon all sorts of Fruit Food and Flesh of Beasts yet they eat also the Flesh of Men taken Prisoners in the Wars but they esteem the Flesh of Elephants as the choycest Dainty They are revengeful and treacherous dull of understanding and inured to labour like Beasts not grutching to be Slaves Every Lordship or Province produces a several Language Language yet it proves no hindrance to their converse one with another Their Riches consist in Gold Riches found in the Rivers Ivory Ebony and Slaves yet are so fearless of any attempts to be made upon them that they debar no Foreigners to come into their Havens the Portuguese onely excepted Their Weapons of War are Arrows Battel-Axes but can neither boast any number of People nor extent of Land The Inhabitants are according to Linschot some Heathens and some Mahumetans but Pyrard averrs they have neither Religion nor Laws but that they are onely Kaffers The Island MOSAMBIKE THe Island Mosambike half a Mile from the Main Land contains about three quarters of a League in length a quarter in breadth the whole compass not exceeding a League and a half with a white Shore It extendeth South and North along the Main Land between which and this Isle and Fort appears the Bay serving for a convenient Haven Land-lockt from all Winds being very large and carrying eight or ten Fathom Water Within a Stones-throw of which the Ships ride at Anchor This Island hath the Main Land on the North and two other uninhabited small Islets on the South the one nam'd St. James or Jago and the other St George but neither affording any conveniency not being inhabited being wholly overgrown with Shrubs and Bushes Some place two Cities upon Mosambike-Isle affirming the one to be plentifully peopled by Portuguese and the other with Blacks but Pyrard makes the whole so fully inhabited that it seems but one Town comprehending within its Circuit a very large and strong Fort together with five or six Churches Chappels and Cloysters From the Description of the Navigation to the East-Indies made by Verhoeven in the Year Sixteen hundred and seven it appears that the City of Mosambike is very large having good Walls fine Houses and some Churches and Cloysters wherewith agrees Paul van Caerden in the Journal of his Voyage to the East-Indies Moquet allots to the City not above two hundred Houses but Linschot leaves all the places open and unwall'd except the Castle where the Portuguese Governor with his Soldiers have their Residence Garias de Silva Figueora in his Persian Embassy comprises in the City an hundred and fifty Houses but most of them built of Wood Straw and Palm-Tree Leaves For the deciding these different Relations we may suppose that the first Writer who placeth two Cities here mistook two Villages for Cities and Linschot himself mentions the Dwellings severally making one part of the old Fort commonly call'd Fortarez a Velha and another of some Houses close by it Others may have taken a great number of Houses standing close together to be a City however it is we may modestly guess that at the time of these Writers things were found thus There is a Cloyster of St. Domingo with a rich Hospital said to have been a Castle in former time built by the Kings of Portugal into which those of that Nation are put coming sick from Sea Besides St. Anthony St. Dominick and St. Gabriel's Church all lying without the Fort they have another Nossa Seniora do Balvarte built close under the Fort. The Air being generally more than warm proves very unwholsom Air. insomuch that few live there any while free from dangerous Distempers which no doubt are much augmented by the want of fresh Water there being onely one small Spring of little consequence in a Thicket of Palm-Trees so that most of them drink salt Water mingled with a little of that fresh This great Drought sufficiently declares that the Land proves barren Unfruitfulness of the Soyl. and unfit to produce any thing Yet provident Nature hath recompenced the want of all other Provision with Coco-Nuts Oranges Citrons Ananassed-Figs and other Indian-Fruits but these onely in manured and well cultivated Gardens They have neither Wheat nor Rice growing but all brought from the Main Land or from Goa and the East-Indies so also Raisins or Grapes and Spanish-Wines with several other Necessaries both for benefit and sustenance so that it is much dearer living here than in any other Place possessed by the Portuguese in this Coast Here breed great Herds of Oxen Cows Sheep Beasts with Tails as big as a fifth part of their Bodies Bucks Goats and Swine whose Flesh hath gain'd such an esteem that the Doctors oftentimes order the Sick to eat it and forbid them
all other sort of Meat it being a delicate Food pleasant and delightful of taste There are also many excellent Birds with black Feathers and black Flesh either boyl'd or raw yet accounted no unwholsom Food The Haven swarms with Fishes which the Inhabitants call Marraxos and the Portuguese Tintoreas they are very ravenous after Man's-flesh for so soon as they see a Man fall into the Water by chance or go to swim they will immediately catch and devour him The Inhabitants are a mixture of Mestiffs Mahumetans and absolute Heathens yet all subject to the Portuguese The Natives of this Island are black of Complexion The Nature of the Inhatants and low of Stature with short Curl'd Hair like Wool they smell very ranck when grown warm they are by nature barbarous cruel and revengeful but withall timorous Both Sexes go naked Apparel onely the Men have a small Clout before their Privacies and the Women cover their Bodies from their Breasts half way to their Knees with course Cotton-Clothes Their Ornaments consist in three or four Strings of white Omaments green blue and red Beads about their Necks and ten or twelve Copper or Tin Armlets about their Arms. They make holes in their Ears wherein in stead of Pendants they hang pieces of Copper or Lattin cutting and carving the rest of their Skin for an Ornament Their common Food is Fish Food and Rice boyl'd in Water with Honey Their Drink is Palm-Wine and Water and a sort of Liquor call'd Arak made of Rice Their Skiffs Boats or Canoos consists all in one Piece as we often mention'd They speak generaly a kind of broken Arabick Language There are a certain sort of handsom Mats Trade made by the Inhabitants which are sent to Goa The Portuguese drive a smart Trade here with Spanish-Wine Oyl Cotton Skiffs red Beads and such like notwithstanding they have a quick Market at Sena Makuno Sofala Quamma and other places Their Arms are Bowes Armâ— Arrows or Lances but of late they have begun to learn the use of Fire-Arms The Portuguese have many years ago built a Fort supposed the strongest they possess in those Parts consisting of four Bulwarks from whence with their mounted Artillery they can defend and make good the Haven against any ordinary attempts It hath strong and well designed Flankers fortifi'd and surrounded with three double Walls and a broad Trench made about it in the Year Sixteen hundred and thirteen Several vain Onsets have the Dutch made upon this Fort but chiefly in the Year Sixteen hundred and six when after a formal Siege of thirty two days they were compell'd to withdraw first as an effect of their malice having burn'd many Ships Canoos Houses and Churches those two especially of St. Gabriel and St. Domingo beforemention'd Some of the Inhabitants by reason of the Converse and Trade of the Arabians on this Coast are drawn to Mahumetanism others are Christians but the most part of them are Idolaters The Kingdom of QUILOA THe Kingdom of Quiloa derives the Name from an Island Situation Plgaf 2. b. 8. H. lying in eight Degrees and fifty Minutes South-Latitude at the Mouth of the River Kuavo said to spring out of the Lake Zambre and according to Peter Alvarez posited so near the Main Land as if joyn'd to it and hath a stately City by some taken for the Rapta of Ptolomy with lofty Houses after the Spanish fashion all adorn'd with stately Halls Chambers and other Apartments furnished with costly Housholdstuff and accommodated both for Pleasure and Profit with sweet and fertile Gardens There lies on the Main Land of Quiloa another City call'd Old Quiloa Sanut lib. 12. built about six hundred years since by one Haly Son of Hacem King of Cyrus in Persia but yields nothing so delightful a Prospect as that mention'd before This Kingdom before the coming of the Portuguese thither spread it self along the Sea-Coast above a hundred and fifty Dutch miles for he Reigned formerly over Sofalo Quamma Angos and Mozambike but when Francois Dulmanda in the Year One thousand five hundred and five put in for this Coast with the Portuguese Fleet the King though invited to Friendship prepared for a Warlike Defence whereupon seven hundred Portuguese went on Shore who quickly took the City and put him to flight Sanutus saith this Countrey hath such an antipathy to the nature of the Europeans that the Portuguese found themselves necessitated to forsake the same notwithstanding they had built a Fort there and made no doubt but to have been the Masters thereof But later Opinions hold the Air since that to have grown more temperate for that some good and wholsom Fruits have been found growing there Osorius praises it as being water'd with many Fountains so enriching the Soyl that it produces all sorts of Grain and Fruits with little labor especially Maiz Rice Oranges Citrons and Lemons They have great store of Oxen and sheep many Hens Pigeons Beasts Turtle-Doves and several other sorts of unknown Birds divers sorts of wild Beasts in the Woods and on the Sea-shore variety of Fish Some of the Inhabitants draw their Original from Arabia such are brown some black others white Pigafet affirms them to be all white whereas on the contrary Pedro Alvarez maintains them all black Their usual Food is Maiz Rice and other Grains Carrots Food and variety of wild Fruits a fit Diet for such poor People The Merchants and better sort of Men go Habited in Cloth of Gold Apparel Silk or Cotton with Turbants on their Heads The Women wear also stately Apparel with Gold and Silver Chains on the Arms and Legs and costly Pendants in their Ears In brief they go Clothed after the Arabian or rather Turkish Mode They commonly speak Arabick but understand other Languages Language by reason of their Trading with Outlandish Merchants The Riches of the Quiloan Merchants consists in Gold and Silver Riches Ambergreece Pearls and Musk. The Inhabitants are under a peculiar King whom Linschot makes a Vassal or Tributary to the King of Mommugi They are partly Mahumetans Religion and the rest Pagans The Kingdom of Mombaza TO the Northward of Quiloa Borders on the Sea-Coast you come to the Kingdom of Mombaza so call'd from an Island in four Degrees and five Minutes South-Latitude which Sanutus makes in its Circumference to be twelve Italian miles but Jarrik onely a League or thereabouts The City being of the same Name The City Membaza built after the Italian manner bears a considerable bulk being situate on a high Rock The extent of the whole Dominion not very big bordering on one side at the City of Orgaba seated on the Banks of the River Onchit which poures her Waters into the Nyle by the Mountain Amara where the Kingdom of Melinde begins The Turks had formerly thrown up a Fortification at the Shore of this River so that none could come into the City
from the River Mareb it visits the Kingdom of Denghini the Moors Bagihos or Fuches and at length pours its Water by the City Jalak into the Nyle The Rivers Anquet and Maleg lying furthest and most Southerly The Rivers Anquet and Maleg arise in Damut so flowing through Bizamo and joyning their Streams make the Westerly Channel of the Nyle yet retain the name of Maleg for eighty Miles till meeting with the middle Current of the Nyle they lose their less known resuming its more famous Name In the South of Abyssinie two other well-known Rivers discover themselves The River Haoax the one call'd Zebe and the other Haoax which latter by Godignus call'd Oara springs out of a vast Mountain upon the united Borders of Xaoa and Ogge whence flowing North-East and increased by the conjunction of the River Machi passeth into Adel or Zeila and so through the midst of Gurrule with a full Stream insomuch that Godignus hath not feared to affirm it to surpass the Nyle in Plenty of Water onely it reacheth nothing near so far for it hath not as the Nyle and other Rivers its Out-let into the Sea but is trencht away by the Husbandmen of Adel into many Brooks and Rivulets for the watering of their Grounds because it seldom raineth in that Conntrey The other call'd Zabee beginneth in the Kingdom of Narea The River Zabee and shoots at the beginning to the West with a strong Current Thence it floweth Southwards and encompasseth the Dominion of Gingiro Afterwards passing to the South and as Godignus will have it by Mombaza floweth into the Sea But Johannes Barros asserts it to be Oby having near Melinde its Out-let into the Sea changing the name into Quilmanzi The before-mention'd Godignus reckons five Lakes of eminency in those Parts Lakes viz. Aicha Dambeabahar or Bar-dambea Zella Zacala and Zoay Aicha the smallest of all lieth in the Kingdom of Angote Dambea-bahar The Lake Bar-dambea or Bar-dambea is so call'd by the Abyssines partly for its bigness and partly from its Situation in the Kingdom of Dambea but Ptolomy stiles it Coloe and Joannes Barros and Mercator Barcena In the common Maps it hath two Names that to the South part Zambre and the North part Zaire where they say the River Zaire which parts Congo and Angola taketh its original lying in thirty Degrees and a half South Latitude and receiveth a great increase of Water out of many several Streams and Brooks which pour down out of the circumadjacent Mountains Plains and Woods It reacheth according to Godignus in length sixty Italian Miles four of which make a German Mile and in breadth five and twenty But Balthazar Tellez a Portuguese Jesuit makes its greatest length on the South-side to be twenty and the breadth taken in the midst and broadest place ten or twelve Spanish Miles They say this Lake can shew eight and twenty Islands viz. Deck which contains twenty Acres of Land the others less Upon seven or eight of which there are Jesuits Cloysters now by length of time much decay'd Most of these little Spots are fruitful producing Oranges Lemons Pome-citrons and other Fruits The Water of the Lake is light very clear healthy to drink and full of Fish besides Sea-Horses which come on Land and devour the Fruits of the Field to the great prejudice of the Husbandmen And therefore there is a Reward appointed to all that kill them who have also a further advantage in selling their Flesh accounted a good Food and their Skins to make Alenga's far more useful to such as ride than Spurs because they jerk hard and strike better But here breed neither Efts Lizards nor Crocodiles though they abound in other places of the Nyle perhaps because these Creatures love not a clear Water and rather chuse troubled and muddy Streams Therefore the Cattel feed in safety upon these Shores and the People inhabit there without any disturbance The Abyssines of these Islands pass this Lake with small Boats made of the Plant call'd Papyrus by the ancient Grecians of which also the Egyptians formerly made Boats and used the Leaves in stead of Paper whereof we have treated more largely before in Egypt This Lake about the Summer Solstice increases for from the vast Mountains of Dambea pour down exceeding many great Streams Dambea whereby it would swell exceeding high if it did not find an Out-let into the greatest Channel of the Nyle Many have thought that the Nyle takes its original out of this Lake but without good ground it being rather a Receptacle for it to pass through However it is certain That this Lake affords it a convenient Supply by the way Into one of these Islands the Emperor banishes Rebels and Out-laws and in another strengthned with a Fort keeps part of the Treasure of the Empire The Lake Zella Zella or Zoay lieth in the Kingdom of Oecie or Ogge on that side towards the Kingdoms of Adel and Mombaza The Lake of Xacala Xacala or Sacala lieth not far from that of Zella and each about a days Journey in length Sanutus sets in the beginning of Amara on the East-side the Lake of St. Stephen two Miles long and half a Mile broad and an Island in it in which stands St. Stephen's Cloyster This Empire hath many and very high Mountains viz. Mountains In the Kingdom of Tigre between Fremona and Dambea one call'd Lamalmon Balthazar Tellez and another adjoyning call'd Guca It is half a days Journey to climb up to the top by an Ascent going always round and turning by steps like a pair of winding Stairs but with very dangerous Precepices and steep falls On the top lieth a great Plain a Mile about where the wearied Travellers and Caravans bait and rest themselves because the next day they have a very troublesom and dangerous way to go through very small narrow and sharp and on each side so steep that the sight cannot reach the depth By these narrow Paths coming to the bottom you meet with Lamalmon three hundred Cubits high like a continaul Hewn Rock which out in the Countrey seems a high and strong Castle where the Passage is narrow and troublesom yet Nature hath provided it with certain Steps in manner of winding Stairs which run up from one side to the other very steep and exceeding dangerous to climb up Aloft upon this Mountain also is a Plain about half a Mile in compass and a Musket-shot broad The People in this Mountain live in safety without fear of being assaulted by their Enemies and richly provided of Fresh-water and Victuals From the top of this Mountain they have the Prospect of the whole Kingdom of Tigre Northwards and North-Westwards lieth a Ridge of Mountains which all together make as it were a great Fence or Inclosure The Kingdom of Amara appears full of craggy steep Mountains among which the Ape-Hills are not the least There are also certain Ports call'd Aquisagi hewn in the
Goyame the sixth dedicated to Agapite stands in Dambea the seventh St. Saviours in Abagamedri the eighth dedicated to the Virgin Mary built of very fine hew'n Stone with nine Portals but was destroy'd by the King of Adel or Zeila and the Saracens so that at this day it remains a heap of Ruines in respect of its former Lustre In the adjoyning Cloyster all sorts of Abyssines were kept together with the Chronicles of the Kings as well those Anointed and Crown'd in this Church as those that were not There is another Church call'd Abagarami or Batta-Abagarima also dedicated to the Virgin Mary but ruin'd by the Turks however still retaining marks of its antient beauty in a Painted and Varnisht Arched Roof All these Churches have adjacent Cloysters But besides the beforenamed they have many other Churches dedicated for the most part to the holy Trinity Jesus Christ or St. Saviour to the holy Cross the Virgin Mary St. Michael or some other Saint Gala's or Jages IN the South of Abyssine and Eastward of the Kingdom of Congo over against the Sun and Saltpetre-Mountain and on either side of the Nyle upon the Borders of Monoe-Mugi certain salvage and Warlike People reside by those of Congo call'd Giaqua's but in that Countrey Language Agaz according to Pigafet and Linschot by the Abyssines as Jarrick asserts Gala's or Galla's by Andrew Batel an English-man who lived among them six Moneths Jagges or Jages but by themselves Imbangola's by which Name as Batel well observes upon it they seem to have proceeded from the Imbiers or Galla's of Serre-Lions which Peter Davity says can be no other than the Cumba's who at this day possess many Regions towards the South which they have wrested by force of Arms from the Abyssine Empire whose manner of life we have at large before related In several places of Africa especially in Abyssine there grows a Plant call'd by the Moors Muz and Gemez by the East-Indians Melapolanda by the Egyptians Mauz by the Natives of St. Thomas Island Abella by the Greeks and Latins Maxgraita in the Scripture Dudaim by others Pharaohs Figs and Apples of Paradise some conceiting that Adam eat of this Fruit among whom are the Learned St. Augustine Moses Berzepha Bishop of Syria Nicephorus Calistus Ambrosius and most of all the Rabbies It groweth to the heighth of a Pomegranate-Tree without any Branches and but few Leaves resembling a Reed for at first they appear rowl'd up together but afterwards spread themselves wide and growing to six or seven Yards in length and almost one in breadth so that any may shelter themselves from the scorching of the Sun under one of them which some make a strong argument to prove that with the Leaves of this Tree the Father of Mankind cover'd himself in Eden upon the discovery of his nakedness The Fruit resembles a small Cucumber but hangs together in Bunches the Rhind of a Gold-yellow colour lovely to look on and fragrant in smell The Fruit within somewhat like that of a Cucumber but tender juicy sweet without Stones or Kernels and wondrous delicious to such as use to eat it Another Plant The Plant Bahabab which the Egyptians call Bahabab or Baobab groweth wild here bearing Fruit in bigness and fashion like a Gourd but the Leaves bearing the similitude of those of an Orange-Tree The Fruit pluck'd from the Tree hath not onely a most delicious taste but quencheth the Thirst and cooleth extraordinarily Thus have we led you a toylsom Journey through the Heats and Wastes of Africa in the Main Land we will now give you a short sight of the Islands belonging to it and so leave you to your contemplations of what you have read and observed therein The African Islands 659. stand in this order Madagascar Carkanossi Towns Franshere Imanhal Cokombes Andravoulle Ambonnetanaha Mazomamou Imouze Mazesâ—â—touts Hatare and Fananghaa besides others and the Fort Dauphine Rivers Franshere Akondre Imanhal Manambaton Manghafia Harougazarak Foutak and Sama. Mountains Vohitsmassian the Naked Mountain and some others Manatengha Towns Amboulle Izame Rivers Manatengha Vohitsbang Rivers Daviboulle Dandraghinta Sandrivinangha Monamboudrou Massianash Mananghare Itomampo Rivers Itomampo Jonghainow Morqua Mangharak Eringdrane Rivers Mangharak Marsiatre Matatane Rivers Outhaivon Manghasiouts Mananghare Mana Irin Itapoulabei Itapoulosirire Itapaulomaiâ— thairanou Faroan Lamohorik Manataraven Mananzau Andredi Tenasataniamou Teraâ—minri Avibaha Tsabsacke Fouchurao Juorhon Manghabei Rivers Voulouilou Maransatran Marinhou Jamiami Mandreri Towns Rabsimelone St. Angelo besides four other very Populous Ampatte Towns None onely some large Villages and one Fort. Rivers Manamboulle Manamba Menerandre The Salt-River Siveh Youronbehok Yorlaghe Mountains Hiecla and another Hill Mackicore Rivers Ranoumanithi Ranoumene Sohavianh Soumada Manatangh St. Apollony Nothing considerable scarcely inhabited Mauritius Isle or Cerne Affording nothing but Beasts and Fowl The Islands Primicras Onely some scatter'd Huts Gomorre and Gomara Reasonably well peopled but without Towns the Houses built of Stone dawb'd over with Mortar The Island of Ferdinand Po No People of Europe have ever Traded there and consequently unknown Princes Island One Town inhabited by Portuguese and Slaves to about 3000. Anaboon One Town and some few Villages St. Thomas Towns Pauosan well-fortified St. Sebastians Castle Rivers Two small ones without name Ilha Rolles Ilha des Cabres Caracombo St. Matthias Ascension Island All places in a manner desolate and void of Inhabitants onely Carocombo has one remarkable Hut but many more remarkably immodest Women But they all produce variety of Foul and some Beasts St. Hellen Few Houses but several Cliffs Mountains and Valleys The chief known Church-Valley and Apple-Dale but without Inhabitants Cape Verd or Salt Islands Ilha del Sal A small River and a little Haven Boavista In a maner unknown further than sight onely one River falls into the Sea Mayo Some Mountains one handsom Plain and a dangerous Road for Ships St. Jago Towns Praya St. Jago the Metropolis of all these Islands and a Bishops See surrounded with two little Rivers Del Fogo One Castle and several burning Mountains Del Brava Neither Town nor Village onely one Haven above which stands an Hermitage St. Nicholas Two Havens viz. Porto de Berguera and Fuoor Fole St. Lucy One Harbor but within very Hilly St. Vincent Many high Mountains a convenient Bay but dangerous to come to and little fresh Water St. Antonio Two high Mountains one Village containing about 50 Families and in the whole about 500 Inhabitants Gorce No Rivers or Brooks only two Forts held by the Hollanders Canary Ilands are Grand Canary Towns The Metropolis of the whole a Bishops See besides Galdar and Guya with many dispersed Cloysters Fuertaventure Towns Lanagla Tarafalo and Pozo Negro Lanecrotte Towns Cayas Teneriffe Towns Sancta Cruz Lagana Ortom and Garrico The famous Mountain call'd the Pike of Ten 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gomere Palma Both without Inhabitants Ferro Some Towns and a little Water Holy Haven Altogether void of People Madera Towns Funzal Manchico Malta Towns
Valetta Citta Vecchia or Old Malta Burgo St. Angelo or Citta Vittoriosa and the Town of St. Michael besides 60 good Villages Comin and Cominot Onely one Fort. Goze or Gozo One Castle and a good Fort and about 5000 Inhabitants Lampadowze Altogether desolate Linose Lies desolate Pantalaree Towns Pantalaree An Abyss call'd Fossa AN EXACT DESCRIPTION OF THE AFRICAN ISLANDS AS Madagascar or Saint Laurence Saint Thomas the Canary-Islands Cape de Verd Malta and others With their Names Scituations Cities Rivers Plants Beasts Manners Habits Languages Riches Religions and Dominions AFter the Description of the Main Land of Africa the Subjected Islands belonging to the same must be taken notice of and they are found partly in the Atlantick Ocean partly in the Mid-Land and partly in the Red-Sea The Isles in the Atlantick on the East of Africa are these Zokotora Madagascar or St. Laurence the greatest of all Nossihibrahim or St. Mary Bouebon or Maskarenhas or Maskareign Almirante St. Francis As Sete Jemanas Os tres Irmanas Roque Piz do Natal do Arko Don John of Miz Pemba Monfia Zanzibar Anisa Quezimba Mozambike Don John of Castro Cosmoldo As doze Ilbeos John da Novo Ilhas Primuras Angoxas Galaga Comoro or Thieves Island Aliola St. Spirito St. Christophano Mazare dos Gorajos St. Brandaon St. Apolonu Mauritius or do Ciene Diego Rois John of Lixbon dos Romaros dos Castellianos By the Cape of Good Hope lieth the Island St. Elizabeth Korwli or Robben and Dassen Island South-Westward from the Cape of Good Hope lieth the Island of Tristano Kunha but more Southerly are the Islands dos Pikos Martyn Vaz St. Maria de Agosta de Trinitad Ascension St. Helen New St. Helen Annoban St. Thome Rolletjes Princes Island Carakombo Ferdinando do Po St. Matthias Ferdinand Noronho Penedo de St. Paulo the Salt or Cape de vard Islands the Canary Islands the Islands of Borodon Madera Porto Santo The Islands in the Mediterrane are Galatha Tabarka Pantalerce Malta Goze c. In the Red-Sea Primeiras Delacca Masuan Magot Mirt Suachen c. But here we must observe that some of these being close by the Main Land of Africa are already describ'd in the foregoing part such be Zokotora Quirimba Zanzibar Mozambike Robben and Dassen Islands Corisco the Islands Amboises Bisegos De los Idolos Bravas c. The Island of MADAGASCAR or St. LAURENCE THe Island commonly by Geographers call'd Madagascar and in the Countrey Language Madecase by Theuck Albazgra by the Persians and Arabians Sazandib by the Portuguese Ilha de sam Lourengo from the first Discoverer Laurence Almeide Son of Francois Almeide Viceroy of the East-Indies for the King of Portugal who in the Year Fifteen hundred and six put with eight Ships first of all into this Island of St. Laurence Gaspar de St. Bernardino in his Journey through India by Land affirms That in the Year Fifteen hundred and eight with whom agrees Damianas de Goez it was discover'd on the outside and a little afterwards the inside scarifi'd by one Ruy Pircira de Kontinho and afterwards by Tristano da Kunha who Sail'd quite round it upon the Command of Alfonso d' Albuquerque There are that report this Island was known to the Antients Merkat Magin Ortel and that Pliny call'd it Cerne Ptolomy Menuthias and Diodorus The Island of Merchant Jol but this cannot be because they never had any knowledge of the Countreys lying Southward above Serre-Lions It spreads in length North North-East Situation Flakkourt Fraxscis Canche and South South-West Southward of the Equinoctial Line and begins with its North end from the eleventh or twelfth degree and odd minutes or according to Pyrad from the fourteenth degree and ends with its South end in the six and twentieth that is from the Cape of St. Sebastian to the Cape of St. Mary Linschot places it a hundred six and twenty Leagues from Cabo das Corinthas on the Main Coast of Africa a hundred and ten from Sofala and four and forty from Mozambike It is one of the greatest Islands in the World for the length from South to North hath been reckon'd to twelve hundred Spanish or two hundred Dutch Miles though Linschot says two hundred and twenty the breadth seventy and the Circumference nine hundred The Sea between the Island and the Main Land towards that side of the Cape of Good Hope sets with a strong Current and goeth with a mighty Tide of Ebbing and Flowing making a Channel at the Westerly entrance eighty five Miles broad and in the middle where it is narrower over against the Island Mosambike four and forty Dutch Miles but it grows wider again towards the East The Ships which go from Europe to the Indies and from thence back again Sail commonly through this Channel unless Storms and Tempests force them to Steer another course This Island hath been Canton'd into many Divisions Divided into Territories whose names we will endeavor to give you viz. Anossi or Karkanossi Manatensi or Manapani the Valley of Amboulle the Countrey of Vohitsbang Itomampo Ikondre Vattemahon Manamboule INSVLA S. LAVRENTII vulgo MADAGASCAR Anachimonssi Gringdrane Vohitsanghombe Manakargha Matatane Antainare Galemboulou Tametavi Sahaveh Vouloulou Andouvoche Manghabei Adcimoi Mandrerci Ampatre Karemboule Mahafalle Houlouve Siveh Ivoronheok and Machicore All large Territories but the biggest is Machikore being seventy French Miles long and forty broad and the most populous are Vohitsanghombe and Erindrane We will give you a particular account of each with what is remarkable therein Beginning first with Carkanossi and from thence will run up Northward to the Bay of Antongil so turn back to the South from Carkanossi to the River Ongelahe To the Northward of this great Island two or three smaller as Nosey Ibrahim or Abraham's Isle by the French nam'd St. Mary and another to the South call'd Maskarenhas or Maskareigne and by the French Bouchon The whole Coast of this Island on the East-side The spreading of the Coast spreads due North North-East and South South-West that is from the Cape of Itapere otherwise call'd Fitorah in five and twenty degrees and six minutes South-Latitude to the Bay or Inlet of Antongil and from thence to the Lands-end due North from the Cape of Itapere to the Island of Karenboule Westerly From Karemboule to the Mouth of the River Sakalite the Coast runs North-West and from thence to the seventeenth degree South-Latitude North North-East and thence to the fourteenth degree being the Road of the Island due North. The whole extent comprehends many beneficial and large Rivers that having their heads within the Land irrigate the same to a rich fecundity and at last emit their Waters into the Sea by which means there appear divers fine Bays which make convenient and safe Roads for Ships The South-side from the Cape of Itapere to Karemboule the People of Europe best know by most of whom frequented but especially by the French who have to the chief Bay assign'd the Name of Dauphin
Fort stand several Habitations among which the House of the French Governor with a great Garden planted with all sorts of Pot-herbs and Fruits But in the year Sixteen hundred fifty six this Fort was burn'd down by accident yet immediately rebuilt and a good Garrison plac'd therein The French maintain great Wars against the Inhabitants of the neighboring Territories marching into the Mountains burning down their Huts and Villages and taking away their Cattel In the year Sixteen hundred fifty one Flacourd being then Commander in Chief for the French King with forty French and as many Negroes arm'd with Shields and Lances destroy'd the Countrey of Franhere and laid all the Huts and Houses in Ashes carrying away many Cows and Oxen and both Men and Women so that by this means all the Glory of the Roandrians came to nothing This cruel Usage rais'd in the Inhabitants a mortal hatred against the French Hatred of the Inhabitants against the French increased afterwards by the selling of some Men and Women Slaves by their Governor Pronis to the Netherland Governor of the Island Mauritius The Territory of MANATENGHA or MANAMPANI and the Valley of AMBOULLE THis Territory of Manatengha or Manampani so call'd from the great River of the same Name running through it lieth in three and twenty Degrees South Latitude being a very delightful spot of Land A little more to the Northward at the Mouth of the foresaid River the Valley of Amboulle shews it self This River The River Manampani lying with its Mouth under the Tropick of Capricorn takes its original out of the Valley of Amboulle and receiveth out of the Mountains Encalida Hiela and Manghaze additional Streams sending its Current afterwards into the East In the Valley of Amboulle stands a great Town also call'd Amboulle This Valley produceth many wholesome Roots and Plants especially white Ignames and Sesamos whereof the Inhabitants make Oyl which they call Menaehil They have very good and fat Oxen and Cows besides some considerable Mines of Iron Near the Town Amboulle rises a Hot Bath whose Water they have reported to bear a heat sufficient to boyl an Egg hard in four and twenty hours and by the Inhabitants accounted a powerful Remedy against the Gout or Sciatica The Natives employ their time in Forgeing and Making Asagayes Employment Lances or Darts and other neat Iron-work The People of Amboulle are Govern'd by a Voadziri that is A great Lord call'd Rabertau being rich in Cattel and all necessary Provision of Victual But his Authority seems small for upon a scarcity of Provision his Subjects will tumultuously force him to supply their Wants But afterwards when the Crop in the Field comes to be cut he repays himself four-fold All the People of this Valley live in so great liberty that their Countrey is a Refuge and Shelter for all Rogues and Vagabonds Westward of Amboulle lieth Izame The Territory of Izame a small place but rich in Iron-Mines and Menachil or Oyl of Sesamos The Inhabitants being about eight hundred are the most undaunted and Warlike of the whole Island yielding Obedience to a Voadziri related in Blood to the forsaid Robertau VOHITSBANG THe Territory of Vohitsbang reacheth from the River Manatengha in three and twenty Degrees and a half to the River Mananghare and Borders upon Anradsahock and Fangaterre containing within it a Lordship call'd Manacaronha lying at the River Mambondrou This Countrey boasts several Rivers as first Manatengha Rivers which with four Mouthes viz. Vinangadsimo Manamaza Sagandacan and Vinangavarats pours it self into the Sea D' Aviboule by the French call'd St. Giles four French Miles from Manatengha D' Andraghinta two Miles higher Sandrivinangha a Mile further issuing out of the Mountain of Viboullo Monambondrou three or four Miles from thence Massianash fifteen French Miles from Aviboulle where they find a good Bay for Barques by the French call'd Ance de Borgne that is The crooked Bay Four Miles more Northerly lies Mananghare which hath seven Mouthes but all stopp'd up with great Rocky Cliffs It cometh out of Itomampo lying towards the West but augmented by three other fair Rivers Janghainou Itamampou and Mangharak all which uniting with this lose their Names This Coast from the River Manhafia to Sandravinangha stands inviron'd with the high Mountains of Viboulle full of Woods Dates and Honey and affording some Gold And indeed the whole Tract though very Mountainous yet produces abundance of Honey Oxen Sugar-canes Ignames Rice and other Provisions for Food besides many Iron Mines The Inhabitants are all Black of Colour The Constitution with bushy curl'd Hair upon their Heads living in a perpetuated Contention upon ancient Feuds or old Quarrels Manners intayl'd both to Memory and Revenge from the Parents to the Children They are so great Thieves that sometimes they will take away the Children and Slaves of their Neighbors and nearest Kindred in Blood to carry and sell them in far distant Places They have an innate Enmity to the Zafferamini as believing That by their Skill in Writing certain Characters they can bewitch bring Sicknesses upon and at last kill them At the Mouthes of Manatengha live none but Ompizees or poor Fisher-men They make their Clothes for the most part of peelings of Trees Cloathing which they call Fautastranou and Avo or else they buy Cotton Clothes in Carnossi or Ampatre Their Arms are Wooden Shields cover'd with an Oxes Hide Arms. and an heavy Assagay or Lance. They have as many Governors as Townships Religion but none of them have any Religion yet they eat no Swines Flesh by Custom and are Circumcis'd The Dominions of ITOMAMPO IKONDRE VATTEMANAHON MANAMBOULE and ANACHIMOUSSI ITomampo lieth in a Valley surrounded with high Mountains Itomampo about three small Miles in compass where they Forge excellent Steel Ikondre Ikondre a small and Hilly Countrey in twenty two Degrees and thirty Minutes South Latitude stands in the East and East-North-East divided by high Mountains from Itomampo and borders in the South upon Vattemanahon and Michicore and on the North and North-West touches Manamboule Vattemanahon borders East and North-East-wards on Ikondre Vattemanahon and on the Head-springs of the River Itomampo and Madreri West and South on the Countrey of Machicore It appears a wild Countrey having been laid waste in the Wars Manamboule hath Limits in the East and East-North-East on the River Itomampo Manamboule in the North on Anachimoussi in the West at Alfissack in the South on the great Mountains where the River Jonglahe takes its Rise from thence running Westwards from Mozambike into the Sea Anachimoussi Anachimoussi a Tract of about four small days Journey in length abutteth in the East at the River Jonghaivou which cuts it through the middle in the South on Manamboule in the West on the great Mountains in the North on the River Mangharak and the Lordship of Eringdrane Several Rivers glide through and
corners The taste comes near that of a green Walnut They chew the Shell for the same reason as the former Zemale a meer stinking Weed yet used by the Inhabitants to the same purpose with the two before-going and also to cure the Scurvey and Rotting Teeth There grows also the Herb which the Indians call Betell or Bethree the Arabians Tamboul but the Madagascars Tamboure which they continually chew with a little Chalk but in the Territory of Matatane with a Fruit call'd Fouronfourau which is the Indian Areka Banghets by the Indians call'd Anil and Enger is a Plant of which they make Indico in this manner They put a great quantity of this Plant cut off with Leaves and Stalks when it begins to blossom into a Tub of Water and every day stir it about with a Stick When it is rotten which is commonly in three or four days they cleanse it from all Dross and Stalks and the Water which hath receiv'd a dark Violet-colour they let through a hole in the bottom into another Tub after it hath been well stirr'd Into this Water so drawn off they put a proportion of Oyl-Olive and then beat it strongly together to mix it Then they let it stand till the Colour settles down to the bottom and the Water parts it self from it which they draw off till at last there remains nothing but this Mud being the right Indico Then they lay it on a great Stone in the Shade to dry keeping all Soil from it Fanshaa a Tree whose Wood is strip'd and very hard grows high and affords if cut round about a blackish Liquor Ravier a Plant with Leaves almost half a yard long and broad like those of the Aloe but not so thick serving to cover the Huts with and are call'd Fandre Latakanghommelahe the Fruit of a spreading Plant with white Flowers that smell like Jasmine but are much bigger Singofau is a great Leaf three Handfuls long and four Fingers broad growing on a Plant which winds it self round the Body of a Tree like Ivy. The Leaf beaten and rubb'd into the Eyes clears the Sight Rhomba an Herb with great Leaves grows about a yard high and smells like Cloves or Cinnamon It seems a sort of Balsom They have along the Water-side and Ditches much Eastern Cyprus which they call Movita and use it against the pain of the Head Tongue is an Herb like our Saponarie with a Flower like Jesamine but a bitter Root very good against the pain of the Heart and Poyson They shew two sorts of it one with white Leaves being the most powerful the other with purple Anramatiko a Plant of two yards high bearing on the top of the Leaves being an Hand-long a hollow Flower and Fruit. They are of two sorts one with red and another with yellow Flowers The Inhabitants dare not pluck these Flowers alledging That whosoever plucks them as he passeth along shall never want Rain Which the French have found untrue Voame are small red Pease growing on a little low Plant by the Goldsmiths in that Countrey used to sodder Gold with in stead of Borax which they know not They use it by mixing the pownded or beaten Pease with the Juyce of Lemons and wet the Gold therein which by that means grows tough and forgeable The Indians in Malaya call these Pease Konduri and the Javanars Saga using the same in stead of Weights Fiomouts otherwise Voulibohits is an Herb bearing yellow Flowers and thick Leaves which the Women apply to any part to take away Hair The green Herb which smells like Melilot they burn to Ashes and make into a Lixiviate Liquor Fimpi in bigness represents the Olive-Tree with an Ash-colour'd Bark of a sharper taste than Pepper Flaccourt taketh it for the Indian Costus The Bark dried in the Sun like Cinnamon turns white and smells fragrantly either burn'd or unburn'd The Wood is very white hard and strong-scented The Leaves have the same smell as the Bark The Tree Tetech by the ancient Greek Druggists call'd Agollachum and Xiloaloe that is Aloe-wood and by the Portuguese Paodaquilla grows there also to the Height of an Olive-Tree with Leaves somewhat larger than those of the great Myrthus but being bruised cause sneezing Madrise is a Tree with small Leaves speckl'd Wood outwardly but in the Heart bears a Violet-colour Hazon Mainthi or Black Wood is a great Tree from whence the Ebony-wood cometh being the Heart of the Body It hath but small Leaves like those of the Myrthus and of a dark green and the Bark appears blackish There are three or four sorts of them Anokouts bears a Fruit a Finger long but not so thick of a dark Ash-colour with Leaves like those of a Pear-Tree The Juyce of the Fruit put into new Milk converts it into Cream Tendrokosses bears a Fruit like Haws Tarantalle is a sort of Box-wood Sanzene Lake and Sanzene Vane are a Wood smelling almost like Cummin-seed but much stronger The Inhabitants use this Wood against Fevers and Agues and cure with it all green Wounds being rubb'd with Water on a Stone That which they call Sanzene Vane is the best Enkafatrahe smells like Rose-wood 't is us'd against the pain of the Heart being rubb'd on a Stone with Water and laid on the Breast Mera hath Leaves like the Olive-Tree with unscented yellow Wood as hard as Box. Vintang a Tree of which the Inhabitants make their Canoos because the Worms never get into it There issues from it a Gum very good for the curing of Wounds Azonorouts a fine Wood and good to make Combs of Tamboubitsi is a Plant whose Wood resembles that of the Orange-Tree Fatra bears Benzoin Sandraha a very high and straight Tree of a blacker Wood than Ebony without any Knots and when planted as smooth as Horn. In Ranoutfoutchy and about it grow great store of them Kokambe another black Wood like Sandraha but crookeder grows on Stony Places is very full of Prickles and hath few Leaves The Blossoms smell very pleasant and likewise the Wood laid on the Fire makes a delicate Perfume Envilasse another sort of Ebony-wood like the former but more knotty Zaa a tough Wood of which the Hilts or Handles of the Lances are made Tambourecissa bears Apples which in the ripening open themselves into four parts They are within full of Kernels cover'd with a thin Orangy Peel which affords a Dye like the American Fruit Rokou Anakau or Anako resembles the Cypress-Tree and grows at the Water side Asonpassehis brings forth a Fruit well-tasted and is as big as a Date-Tree Vahats a small Tree whose Bark at the Root is onely serviceable for Dying From the fresh Root the Rhind comes off very easily being moisten'd with Water but from the dry Root it must be taken with a Bone-Knife When they will use the same in Dying they hang it together with the Silk or Wooll to boyl over a small Fire with a Lixivium of the Ashes of the Bark which gives a Fiery-Red
Vourouzi Mice and other Vermine breed here numerously Mandouts are a sort of Snakes as thick as a Mans Arm but not venomous yet much feared by the Inhabitants It feeds upon Rats and small Birds which they fetch out of the Wastes Anakandef a sort of small Snakes which creep through the Fundament into Mens Bodies as they sit to ease themselves upon natural occasions and causeth great pain and in a short time death There are many other Snakes every one having a peculiar name as Menore Save Mere Tsiondiballe Keneutsik and others Sea and Land-Fowls breed here wonderfully Fowâ— all call'd by one general name Vourou but smaller than in Europe There are Hens which Lay Eggs no bigger than Pigeons Also Pheasants with Violet-colour'd Feathers and red Bills which are esteem'd a delicate Food Likewise wild Violet and green Pigeons Turtle-Doves black and dark colour'd red Paraketo's small green ones that Whistle and mock the Notes or Voyces of other Birds Turkycocks white black and gray Cranes with curious Feathers wild Herons with a Tuft on their Heads Teals with red Legs and Feet call'd Halire Lapwings Dish-washers and many others Sambe which signifieth Burning is a Bird with Feathers of a deep red colour Vourondoule the Bird of the Dead they say makes a great Chirping and noise over the House where any one is to die Vouronchontsi white Birds that continually follow Oxen and Cows and live by Muggs and Wasps Mangarent Souifoutehy or Voula a River-Bird like a Sea-mew with a white and long Bill Tahia hath black Quills Feet and Bill and like the Cuckow with us sings this onely Note continually Tahia Televa a River-Bird as big as a Hen with Violet-colour'd Feathers and a red Bill and Feet Haretak hath a round Tuft on his Head with black Feathers and Feet like a Teal Proceed we next to Serpents and other Vermine among which we shall put in the first place Scorpions there generally call'd Hall of which there are divers kinds as the Tsingalaha Huranou a Water-Scorpion because it keeps in Ditches and standing-Standing-waters kills Beasts and Dogs by sucking their Blood Vankoho or Spiders-head having a great round and black Belly is an exceeding dangerous Creature for if any be stung by it they fall immediately into a Swoon remaining faint sometimes two or three days together and as cold as Ice They cure it in the same manner as the Sting of a Scorpion by laying the Sick before a great Fire and giving them wholsom Medicines to dispell the Poyson Anakalife a Reptile breeding between the Barks of rotten Trees It is about a handful long full of Legs flat and thick with a very hard Skin The Sting carries with it a mortal Poyson bringing immediate death unless prevented in the same manner as that of the Vankoko and Scorpion Akolalau a small Vermine in shape like a Wood-Lowse but doth not stink so much at full growth it attains the bigness of a Mans Thumb The lesser sort of them sit in Houses Huts and Chests in great numbers and eat through all things they can come at especially Clothes Vombare a parti-colour'd Creature some of a Gold-yellow and Silver colour intermixt with others Sakondre a sort of Meskito's that sit on the Bark of a small Tree like white Blossoms but afterwards change into several colours as green intermixt with red and the like These make a Honey as sweet as Sugar Herechereche a kind of Glow-worm lies in the Night glistering in the Woods and on the tops of Houses like a spark of Fire Tsingoulou Voulou are of several sorts a small Creature infesting the Houses but do a great deal of hurt by running over and eating the Victuals as Honey Milk and other Provisions There are also Pismires which make Honey like Bees in hollow Trees and heaps of Earth wherein they sit by thousands Worms also breed there of divers sorts Worms as long Earth-worms call'd Saho Wood-worms from eating the Wood nam'd Anakau and others with a Head like a Boar Some with Scales on their Bodies that eat into the Beams and Planks of a Ship sloaping to one side but go not quite through Variety of Silk-worms as Landeve which produce one single Egge with small Thorns Landesaraha lay small Eggs inclos'd in one greater wherein sometimes are found above five hundred The third Landeanakau make their Silk on a Tree call'd Anakui growing on the Sea-shore like a Cypress and their Eggs hang one by one at a small Thred this Silk proves the finest and strongest of all The fourth Landevansaqua makes a fine Silk upon the Tree Vontonquer Land-Turtles An amphibious Creature or Tanou are many and of two sorts the one styl'd Helintsoka and the others Fanou Nor want they Bouchete or great Toads and Saouh Frogs The Inhabitants are either white or black Nature of the Inhabitants The Whites divide themselves into three Tribes Rohandrians Anakandrians and Ondazatsi The Blacks into four sorts Linschot Voadziri Lohavohits Ontson and Ondeves as we before related at large in the Territory of Carcanossi or Anossi In some places they tell of a wild People by them call'd Ompizees which let Hairs of their Heads and Beards grow very long and go stark naked onely with a few broad Leaves before their Privacies They keep in the thickest Woods and shun Converse with any other Blacks living upon Fish Venison Fruits Roots wild Honey and Grashoppers Formerly there lived on the Island Ontaysatrouha lying between the Anachimoussi and the River Ranoumene a People which held conversation with their Neighbors but Warred against them continually and not onely against them but likewise against all others that travel'd through their Countrey They cut the sick Peoples Throats which they thought past recovery and brought their Hands to the King to eat They feed many Cows but neither kill them nor Steers Rams Goats nor Cocks Cows Milk being their chiefest Diet and therefore Heifers Sheep and Goats they bring to sleep upon Mats and after their death bury them under ground They did eat Dogs with a great appetite when no longer fit for Boar-hunting They till'd their Ground in the same manner as the other Blacks on this Island Their Features are frightful and ill-favor'd for they have small Eyes a broad Forehead sharp Teeth Camosie Noses thick Lips with short curl'd Hair russet Skins without Beards great Belly'd and thin Legs These People did eat one another up by which means being reduced to a small number they were all about a hundred and twenty years since destroy'd by their neighboring People and Enemies so that now not one of them remains Some have reported that Giants and Dwarfs have been found on this Island but occular experience hath proved that Assertion but a Fable In a Tract of Land by Itapere are many Stones erected under which the Dwarfs are said to lie buried for say the Learned they came in great numbers and would have committed Spoil in the Countrey of Anossi whence
unpleasant they likewise keeping continual Fires though the heat of the Weather be never so excessive The Ware-houses wherein they keep their Rice stand by themselves rais'd upon Posts to hinder the Rats climbing up to it The next day in the Morning a Rohandrian appears bravely Clothed with a Girdle across after the manner of a Star upon his Breast and after three times turning round about the House with a great Slaughter-Knife in his Hands laid thirty six Oxen upon the Ground with their Legs ty'd together and cut their Throats dipt his Finger in the Blood and put it upon his Forehead and upon his Breast and brought it to Dian Tserong and the Rohandrians after this was done he with Fewel made a Fire and singed off the Hair and cut the Oxen in pieces and divided them amongst the standers by Next morning he fell to drinking of Wine and in the Evening eat Rice and other Food which continu'd so for eight days slaying every day so many Oxen without reckoning other Cattel which he distributed among the Dians or Lords of the Towns and Lovahits so that above four hundred Beasts were eaten at this Missavatsi and yet Tserong had great Gain and for the Expences laid out in building of his House was richly paid This House was about four Fathom broad and eight or nine Fathom long but scarce high enough for a Man to stand upright in with Walls of Planks two Inches thick it stood two Foot and a half from the Ground and had six Doors two before and two behind and on each side one but all low so that without stooping none could go in The Roof ran up to a Point consisting of Leaves call'd Rattes which lay cross one upon another bound together with Mahovits and Peeling of a certain Tree together with Bambo's Canes cut into little Shingles very neatly This manner of Roofing is very handsom but subject to burning Some cover their Houses with green Boughs and Grass others with broad Leaves call'd Raven pandre but they are not so durable Their Housholdstuff consists in Mats Housholdstuff which they call Sihi and are twofold some red and yellow-colour'd and very neatly others common but yet very convenient both Braided or made of several sorts of Bulrushes with which in stead of Tapistry they hang the Walls of the Houses and sleep upon them for Bedding Sheets Mattresses or Coverlets are not made among them being from their Infancy us'd to lie hard A great many Baskets wherein they lay up their Clothes Girdles or Belts or Saravohits Cotton-Merchandize and all Ornaments which they have Little Earthen Cruises for their Oyl wherewith they anoint their Hair and Bodies Kitchin-Vessels as Earthen Pots call'd Villangues Louvies Faffes Monhonges and Sines Wooden Dishes and Spoons Pitchers to fetch Water in Knives call'd Antsi great and small both sorts made very neatly according to the Mode of the Place small Pincers to pull Thorns out of their Feet and to pull off the Hair great Slaughter-Knives to cut Cattels Throats Iron Forks to pull the Meat out of the Pots Roasters or Gridirons of three Irons or Ribs call'd Zalaza and a Mortar to stamp Rice in with a Wooden Bason to Fan it in Cruises or Pots of above a hundred Quarts wherein they make Meath of Honey But they use no Table-Linnen Towels Earthen or Pewter Trenchers nor Tables or Stools but the Earth spread over with a Mat serves them both for Table and Stools and great Leaves call'd Rattes of twelve Foot long and four broad for Trenchers and Table-clothes of these Leaves also Spons and Drinking-Cups are made and Roofs for their Houses when they are dry Their Clothes are of several colours and names some all of red Silk call'd Sohatsmifili others of Cotton styl'd Varo a third of red and mingled-colour'd Silk Woven with pure Cotton underneath and strip'd with white others of Peelings of the Bark of Fantatstanou Try Mouffia Avo Courave and the Thred of the Bananos-Tree The best and finest are Cotton-Clothes of Anossi made by the Zafferamini and much bought up Them which are chiefly desired have the breadth of twelve Inches below border'd with Silk the Ground of it white with black Stripes and some of black Woven Cotton and red Silk and the great Rohandrians themselves may onely wear that and onely in great Solemnities They provide it also to Livery their Grandees in The Clothes of the Bark of Fantatstanou are made near Manatengha Manghafia Soudrevingha and Anossi in this order The Bark of the Tree growing at the Water side they first draw to Thred and afterwards boyl in a strong Lye the scowr'd Threds are afterwards twisted together and by means of a Spindle spun together and at last Woven into Cloth This Cloth so imitates ours of Hemp or Flax that such as had never seen it would have taken it for the same It wears strong and endures three times as long as Cotton Of this Bark also they make Sail-Clothes or Cordage The Clothes of the Bark Try are made of the Sazles of Thred of a certain Shrub that affords Milk and groweth much in the Territory of Ampatre wears very soft but not so strong as the Cotton The Clothes call'd Afouche are commonly in the Countrey of Matatane made of the Bark of the Plant Avo of which also they make Paper soft and gentle but not strong Moufia Clothes are wrought in Galemboullou Manghabei and the Bay of Antongil of the Peelings of tender Leaves which shoot from the Tree Moufia the overgrown being great stalky Leaves twelve or fifteen Foot long Bananos Clothes are very light and as fine as Silk Clothes All these are Woven in the same manner as our Linnen The Ornaments Ornaments or Firavach with which these Islanders dress themselves consist especially in Chains which they wear on their Necks Arms and Legs Gold Ear-rings Bracelets or Rings and other small Trifles Saraves of Chains of Glass-Beads fine Pearls Corral Pipes of Gold Beads of red Crystal Agats Cornelions Sardonyx two or four double hang'd about the Neck Salintes consist of pieces of Corral Agats and red Crystal Endach are made of all sorts of colour'd small round Glass-Beads and four six eight or twelve Strings worn at once The Zafferamini or Whites of Matatane have their Ears bor'd through wherein they wear Gold Ear-rings which are of two sorts one of clean and Massie Gold which they call Foamitoulie the other onely an East-India Snall-shell cover'd over with Leaf-gold and curiously wrought for Goldsmiths there have no Borax yet they know with small red Beans in their Countrey Language call'd Voamene and in the Indian Condure how to Solder small Grains of Gold together very handsomly and artificially They have the Gilded Shells made into Necklaces by them denominated Verenhere Also Menilies of Gold Silver and Brass on their Arms and Gold Silver and Copper Rings on their Fingers besides Matahets an Poutan on their Thighs Arms and Legs of the same Stuff
and Mandihoka and here and there a Vine The Inhabitants are Portuguese but few in number being but about thirty or forty Mulato's Negro's and Slaves three thousand which work in the Sugar-Mills and plant Rice Tobacco Mille and other Fruits The Island of Anaboon or Anabon ANabon or Anaboon which signifieth New or Good Year so call'd perhaps by the Portuguese because discover'd on a New-years-day it lieth in one Degree and fifty Minutes South-Latitude or as others in one Degree and a half about five and twenty Miles from St. Thomas and five and forty from Cabo de Lopez Gonzalves on the Main Coast It takes in Circumference according to Pyrard about five or six French Miles and in length not above half a Mile The Harbor appears at the North-side but very dangerous by reason of the Shoals and Rocks This Island hath a wholsom Air many Fountains Springs and Brooks with fresh Water onely a little brackish at the New and Full-Moon by reason of the high flowing of the Sea It rises with Mountains whose aspiring tops seem to kiss the Clouds and are commonly cover'd with Snow The Hills and Dales prove fruitful in all sorts of Plants and affords the Eye a pleasant and delightful sight The Shores of the Brooks stand beset with Palm-Trees out of which the Inhabitants extract the often mention'd Palm-Wine Ignames Injames Potato's Banano's Ananassen Orange-Trees Tamarind-Trees Sugar-Canes and Cotton-Trees also Rice Maiz or Turkish Wheat several sorts of Turkish Beans black Physick-Nuts and many other Trees and Plants There are many wild Swine Stags Goats Hens Pigeons black and white Cranes and other Fowl The adjoyning Sea produces many sorts of Fishes and Oysters Mercator and some others make this Island waste and desolate contrary to the truth for 't is inhabited though but meanly there being some years ago a few Portuguese with fifty or sixty Blacks which all liv'd by tilling the Ground and Fishing The Netherlanders found in the Year Sixteen hundred and five in their Voyage to the East-Indies under the Admiral Matelief two hundred Blacks on this Island The Town stands surrounded with a Breast-work for Defence and contains about a hundred Houses built of Canes besides some few of Wood belonging to the Portuguese The Blacks go stark naked both Men and Women Clothes having onely a Cotton Cloth before their Privacies The Women carry their Children on their Backs and when they will give them Suck they throw their Breasts over their Shoulders for they have them very great The Portuguese have the Command of it who send thither a Vice-Roy Government All the Inhabitants both Blacks and others embrace the Christian Religion Religion converted by the endeavor of the Portuguese The Island of St. Thomas THe Island of St. Thomas in Portuguese St. Thomee because first of all discover'd on that Saints Day yet Thevet calls it Santas Honore and the Barqarians Ponkas it lieth in the Ethiopian Sea right under the Equinoctial Line which comes through the City and the great Church and therefore no Latitude hath been ascribed to it and not far from the Cape of Lopez Gonsalvez It bears an Oval form about thirty Miles in Circumference and in length and breadth twelve Miles The chief City call'd Pavosan or Pavaose through which run two small Rivers hath its situation on an even place on the North-side of the Bay somewhat more longer than round and about half a days walking in compass containing about fifteen hundred Houses every one ten Stories high On that side towards the Sea-coast defended with some Breast-works of Stone which the Portuguese Governor raised in the Year Sixteen hundred and seven commanding every one that passed backwards and forwards by the City to bring one Stone towards the Building The Houses are erected of white and hard Wood like Oak which grows there on the Spot before behind and also on the top cover'd with Planks made fast together There stand onely on the whole Island three Stone Houses in one of which the Governor dwelleth The City boasts of three Churches whereof the biggest is intitled Conceptio or The Church of the Conception of the Virgin Mary next the Church of Isabella whereto adjoyns an Hospital and the Church of St. Sebastian a small one standing by the Castle But several other Churches stand without the City as St. Anthonies two Musquets shot distant and somewhat nearer St. Johns then you may see the Church of Maitre de Dios or The Mother of God about a Mile from the City towards the South-east and about two Miles from it towards the East Trinitado or The holy Trinity and about three Miles towards the South-east the Church of St. Anna. The Castle of St. Sebastian Castle St. Sebastian seated on an out-lying Corner at the North-side of the City and of the Bay is a handsom Building of Stone to the heighth of twenty five Foot and both of it self and by the conveniency of the place whereon it stands seems almost impregnable The Garrison within consists of a hundred Soldiers well stor'd and provided with Ammunition and Victuals besides continual Supplies are and may be brought thither by Sea without hindrance The Ground is moistned by several Brooks and Rivers of clear and fresh Water to their great enriching On the middle of this Island rises a Woody Mountain continually cover'd with Snow whence divers Brooks and Streams draw their originals The Air is very hot and untemperate moist unwholsom inimical to the People of Europe who seldom attain there to the age of fifty years whereas the Natives a People that have but little Blood oftentimes arrive to above a hundred Some affirm that a young Man in his growth coming thither shall never grow bigger but always remain at his first Stature and that a dead Corps laid in the Ground will rot and decay in four and twenty hours The cause of this unwholsomness hath been imagin'd to proceed from the over-great Heats and damp Fogs Some have reported that this malign intemperature doth not spread over the whole but confin'd chiefly to the City and occasion'd by the low situation thereof for from the Rain-water which falls down abundantly from the Hills to the Valleys are exhal'd noysom Vapors which afterwards fall down in the Evenings and Mornings with an offensive influence whose fume or dewy stream receiv'd into the Body corrupts and irritates the Blood for the avoiding which direful hazards at those times the Portuguese there resident keep within their Houses But this Air loses some of these ill qualities in June July and August by reason of the South-east and South-west dry and cool Winds which blowing over from the Coast of Ethiopia refresh the Countrey and clear the Air to the great advantage of Strangers although the Natives receive detriment thereby These Islanders as all others under the Equinoctial have two Winters not in respect of Cold but onely of Moistures one in March and another in September at which
fifty Mills which every one had their Moneths to grind and could make every Year twelve or fourteen Tun of Sugar In the Year Sixteen hundred and ten there were sixty one Mills which the Hollanders ruin'd so that ever since they have for the most part been able to do nothing for want of Coppers and Slaves to work The Corn never attains to its full growth because the over-fatness of the Soil and the exceeding Moisture hinders the due Ripeness There are many Vineyards which have all the Year Grapes both white and red ripe and unripe also sweet and soure Oranges Lemmons Citrons Pomegranates Coco-Nuts Figs Water-Melons Peaches Olives Almonds and such like but the Fruits never grow to a full perfection because these Plants have need of a closing and drying Coolness which here they want The want of Corn Nature hath supply'd to the Inhabitants by Roots as Potatoes or Ignames their usual and chiefest Food of which they have four sorts one call'd Benyn the second Achorere the third Maniconge and the fourth Saffranee according to the Places from whence brought to this Island The two first are the best the one for its sweetness and the other for its longest keeping good The next is Mandihoka but they eat little of it rather sending it to Angola In Brasile they plant much of it onely the Root grows nothing near so thick there as in these places And here you must observe That the Juyce must be prest out of the Brasilian Mandihoka being so hurtful and poysonous that if any one should chance to eat of it unpress'd he would run the hazard of his Life But on this Island they immediately dry it as it is Grownd without pressing of which none get any hurt or damage by eating Banano's also Bakovens Kussu-Apples two or three sorts of Jojoos or small Beews and Turky-Wheat or Maiz may be had there and Pesigos a Fruit growing on a Tree of the same name somewhat hairy on the out-side which must be cut off and then you have a little Meat over a soft Stone yet pleasant to the taste and of a cooling quality Another Fruit call'd Kola of the bigness of a Walnut grows on very high Trees in a light green Shell or Cod It consists chiefly in four or five sharp red Kernels lying close together they taste like a raw Chessnut but somewhat bitterish yet a draught of Water after it makes it seem sweet They drive a good Trade herewith to Lovando St. Paulo whither they carry it by Shipping Neither do they want Palmito-Trees out of which the Inhabitants make Wine and out of the Kernel of the Fruit extract by Decoction Palm-Oyl which they send over to Angola Of the Cotton growing there the Inhabitants make sad and light blue colour'd Clothes like those of Benyn but nothing neer so good however transported to Lovando St. Paulo they yield sufficient profit Lastly Cabbith-Trees call'd Musen and by the Egyptians Mauz and by the Islanders Abellance which in a Years time grows very high Besides Pot-herbs Cabbages Turneps Sallads Lettuce Parsley They cannot complain of want of Cattel having Swine Cows Sheep Goats Rams and some small Horses Nor of Fowl Turkeys Geese Turtle-Doves Hens Moor-Hens Sparrows Linnets Paraquetoes and several other sorts of Birds breeding there in abundance Neither are the Sea or Rivers less kind yielding several sorts of Fish In short This Island might with reason enough be term'd a happy Habitation if the Air was but of a good temper The offensive Vermin are of three sorts Wasps much bigger than ours in Europe grievously tormenting all that go into the Woods upon any occasion Pismires which eat up all they find even to the grown Sugar-Canes but they die upon the change of Weather And Rats great Enemies also to the Sugar-Plants The Inhabitants are of two sorts Portuguese which first found this Island desolate and inhabited the same and Blacks sent thither from Angola to work Those which are born on this Island of a Portuguese Father and Mother though they have liv'd there a long time are white like the Portuguese but the Children of a Portuguese-Man and a Black-Woman are Brown or Yellow and therefore call'd Mulatos There us'd every Year to be sent from Lovando St. Paulo thither about five thousand young Blacks for Slaves The Native Portuguese go clothed like their Countreymen Apparel and the Negro-Merchants with their Families follow the same Mode but the Slaves as well Men as Women go naked onely with a Clout or Palmito-Leaf before their Privacies They make Bread of Potatoes Food and drink Palm-Wine or Water or Goats Milk In the time of great Heat five or six Families come together to eat their Meals in company in Caves under Ground where every one brings his own Food and his own Houshold-stuff The Commodities carried from thence to other Places consist chiefly in Muscovado-Sugar yearly made to the quantity of a hundred thousand Arabe every Arabe being thirty two Pounds being pack'd in Leaves and brought over to Europe the afore-mention'd Cotton Clothes the Fruit Kolas and such like The Merchandise transported thither by the Portuguese and others were Linnen of several kinds all sorts of colour'd Yarn Says Silk Stockings French Serges mix'd Hair-Says Axes Chopping or Hewing-Knives Iron Salt Linseed Oyl Red Copper in Plates Copper Kettles Rosin Pitch Tar Ropes Earthen Sugar-pots of bigness to contain twenty or thirty Pound weight Brandy and all sorts of Strong-waters Canary-Wine Olives Capers fine Flow'r Butter Cheese and such like The Revenues which the Portuguese have yearly from this Island Revenues amount to a considerable Sum For all Exported Goods must pay the Tenth of every thing for Custom to the King either in Ready Money Sugar Palm-Oyl or Clothes Of Slaves brought from one place to another they give one out of ten Those which fish with a Net at the Shore answer every fifth Fish And for the Fishing with a Canoo in the Sea for every eight days they must pay the Value of three Pence Nay every Plant which the Countrey produceth must pay somewhat to the King All the Inhabitants are Christians Religion except some Slaves or Merchants which have not constant Habitations there The Archbishop of Lisbon sends thither a Suffragan-Bishop to supervise Church-Affairs who holds his Episcopal See in the Principal City The Civil Government is manag'd by a Commander in Chief sent thither by the Crown of Portugal He keeps his Residence in the Chief City Pavoason attended with a Judge to administer Justice to the People The Inhabitants Government as well in the City as the Countrey bring all their Differences before the Governor and Judge to be decided but may appeal from thence to Lovando St. Paulo They are also bound to furnish the Governor the Castle and other Places of Guard with Fire-wood and to Build or Repair his House at their own Charges and also all Bridges and to keep all Roads and Ways clean and
good During the War between the Crown of Portugal and the States of the United Provinces this Island was in the year Sixteen hundred forty one on the second day of October overcome in the following manner Jol whom we mention'd before landed with his People two Miles from Pavoason by a Sugar-Mill at St. Anns where he took his Repose that Night and the next day the Ships came under the Castle and the Soldiers march'd thither by Land where arriving they found all void either of People or Garrison onely the place was Fortifi'd by six Pieces of Ordnance From thence having reduc'd it they went to the great Fort surrounded with a Wall of twenty eight Foot high where after a long Fight for want of Ladders to scale the Walls they were necessitated to Retreat with the loss of many Men But the City Pavaoson they easily gain'd being void of Citizens Soldiers and all moveable Goods Afterwards the foremention'd Fort was surrendred by the Governor who with eighty Garrison-Soldiers Blacks Whites and Mulatos march'd out and with five and twenty Soldiers of the Kings Band were Shipp'd over to Lisbon In the Fort came to the Victors hands six and thirty great Pieces of Ordnance of which twenty were of Brass abundance of Powder Match and Bullets but Victuals scarce for one Moneth The City and Fort thus taken the Admiral Jol caused the Portuguese to be call'd into the City again to Treat with him upon Equitable Concerns whereupon two of the chiefest came and bought off the Destruction of the Mills and preservation of their Canes for five thousand and five hundred Crusadoes and ten thousand Arohas of Sugar But the Kings Revenue and Treasure came to the Victors Formerly in the year Sixteen hundred and ten this Island had been master'd by the Dutch the City burnt and the Plunder consisting of a thousand Chests of Sugar a great many Elephants Teeth Silk Woollen Cloth and one and twenty Pieces of Ordnance Shipp'd away But the Admiral himself and the Vice-Admiral together with seventeen Seas and all the Land-Officers except one and the number of a thousand poor Soldiers died there as hath been already mention'd Ilha Rolles ANother small Island in Portuguese call'd Ilha Rolles lieth to the Southward of St. Thomas about three Musket-shot distant with a convenient Passage between both and good Anchorage for Ships Onely there appear between this and Ilha del Cabres seven Rocks above Water which the Portuguese Sea-men call Los Sette Pedros The Island Ilha del Cabres IN the next place you come to Ilha del Cabres or Goats-Isle about two Musket-shot from St. Thomas with a Channel for Ships between The Countrey rises Mountainous and full of Wild Lemon-Trees The Island Caracombo BElow the River Gaba or Gabon not far from the Aequinoctial-Line Linschet writes of it in Gniuee lieth the Island Caracombo whose Soil produceth many unknown Fruits Beasts and Fowl There are oftentimes an hundred Birds-Nests upon one Branch of a Tree made there by a wonderful Art to keep the Serpents from them The Women are yellow and impudently immodest prostituting themselves before any Spectators Some Ships riding at an Anchor at a certain time under this Island there came off from it in a Barque eight and twenty Men to the Ship side with a Drum and a hollow Stick in stead of a Pipe Four or five of them went aboard whereof one whose Countenance Breast and Arms were white held a green Branch with a Clock and a Bird whom the Master entertain'd with Victuals wherewith they seem'd highly pleas'd Afterwards a Pot of Palm-Wine was set before them out of which they drank to one another At length some of the Sea-men went with them ashore to Barter as they had desir'd Iron against Ivory and coming into the Village they saw a Hut of about three Foot high with a Roof but somewhat open at one side where stood a Crock cover'd with a Net which they would suffer no body to touch or to see what was within On a Stick close by stood a Childs Scull with a Bone in the one Eye and by that lay several other Bones both of Fishes and Beasts on the Ground whence they guess'd it to be a Burying-place These People have neither Faith nor Religion yet Circumcise their Children The Island of St. Matthias MOre towards the West in one Degree and fifty Minutes South-Latitude you arrive at St. Matthews Isle so call'd by the Portuguese from the day of its Discovery A small Spot desolate and not inhabited though heretofore some Portuguese dwelt upon it It hath one Brook of very good fresh Water Ilhas das Ascension or Ascension-Island TOwards the South appeareth Ascension-Isle in Portuguese Ilhas das Ascension It lieth eight Degrees and a half Southward of the Line one hundred and ninety Spanish Miles North-West from St. Hellens but larger and full of Mountains It hath no fresh Water at all nor one green Branch or Leaf but all wither'd dry and scorch'd Onely infinite numbers of Fowl as big as Geese frequent it because they find plenty of Fish to feed upon The Island of St. Hellen. HELENâ— The Air seems very temperate and healthful insomuch that sick Men Air. brought ashore there in a short time recover Yet the Heat in the Valleys is almost intollerable whereas the Mountains have as great an excess of Cold. It rains there commonly every day in Showres five or six times so that want of Water causes not the Barrenness of the Soil For besides the Rain it hath other good and wholesom Water particularly in the Church-Valley whither Sea-men come for Fresh-Water as also to two neighboring Places And further notwithstanding the general accusation of Sterility the Ground of its own accord brings forth Pease and Beans wild that for want of Gatherers falling make a new Increase also whole Woods of Orange Lemon and Pomegranate Trees all the year through laden both with Blossoms and Fruits very good Figs abundance of Ebony and Rose-Trees Besides in the Valleys Parsley Mustard-seed Purslain Sorrel and wild Roman Cummin-seed The Woods and Mountains are full of Goats very large Rams and Wild Swine but difficult to be catch'd When the Portuguese did first discover this Place they found neither four-footed Beasts nor Fruit-Trees but onely Fresh-Water The Fruit-Trees they brought thither afterwards which so increas'd since that at present all the Valleys stand full of them to the great wonder of the Beholders seeing the Island is seldom frequented and not at all Inhabited Lastly Partridges Pidgeons Moor-hens and Peacocks breed here numerously whereof a good Marksman with his Gun and not otherwise may soon provide a Dinner for his Friends On the Cliff-Islands at the South side of this are thousands of grey and black Meawes or Sea-Pies and also white and colour'd Birds some with long and some with short Necks who lay their Egs on the Rocks and so unaccustomed to fear that they suffer themselves to be taken
Ilha del Fogo or The Island of Fire Island del Fogo because of its Vomiting Smoke and Fire out of its highest Hills lieth in fourteen degrees and twenty minutes North-Latitude twelve Miles North-Westerly from the South-West Point of St. Jago On the West side you discover another Road with a Castle adjoyning Built at the foot of a Mountain but the Haven affords little conveniency by reason of the strong Current before it Those that Sail out of the East and intend for this Harbor must make to the Northward about the Countrey or else they will scarce fetch it for the Wind blows very hard and the ground is deep and runs down sloaping so that indeed none can be had but under the Castle Four Miles South-Westward from del Fogo Island del Brava lieth Ilha del Brava or The Desolate Island having on the West side a convenient Entrance for those that will take in fresh Water But the Haven lies to the South-East with fifteen Fathom Water so that an East-India Man may Ride there with his Starne moved towards the Shore Above the Haven stands a Hermitage with people South-Westward from Ilha Brava Island St. Nicholas in the Altitude of twelve degrees and almost thirty minutes appears a dry place two Ships length and one broad St. Nicholas-Isle seventeen Miles from the Salt-Island sets its North-West end in sixteen degrees and twenty minutes at the West end three Miles broad and at the East a Mile and a half and seven or eight long M. Figuredo places the Haven at the South side giving it the name of Porto de Berguira with an Islet at the entrance and to the North-West lieth beyond the Point the Haven Fuoor Fole St. Lucie Island St. Lucie a high and Hilly Island eight or nine Miles long with its South end in the Altitude of sixteen degrees and eighteen minutes At the South-East end are two small Islands as on the East South-East end the Haven with a fine Sandy Shore On the South-West towards St. Vincent lies another Harbor of twenty Fathom Water Thirty Miles Westward from the Salt-Island Island St. Vincent and two Miles West from St. Lucie lieth St. Vincent in the Altitude of seventeen degrees five Miles long It hath at the North-West side a half Oval-Bay a Mile and a half wide and surrounded with high Mountains The high Mountains of St. Anthonys-Isle defend this Bay from the West and North-West Winds so that it seems the most convenient Haven among all the Islands yet the coming to it is dangerous by reason of the strong Winds blowing impetuously from the high Mountains The South end of St. Vincent hath a little fresh Water but elsewhere cannot be had one drop St. Anthony Island St Anthony the most Northermost of all in seventeen degrees North-Latitude two Miles and a half from St. Vincent hath two high Mountains the one almost as high as the Piek of Teneriff in the Canary-Islands but both most commonly cover'd with Clouds There live about five hundred Inhabitants on this Island At the North-West end stands a Village of about twenty Huts wherein dwell about fifty Families as well Negro's as Whites Govern'd by a Captain Priest and Schoolmaster all which speak very good Portuguese but they live very poorly At the Northside is a Road in the Latitude of sixteen degrees and fifty minutes North-Latitude The unwholesomeness of the Air in all these Islands Air. breeds generally in the Inhabitants Burning-Feavers Belly-Ach and the Bloody-Flux Their Scituation being between the Equinoctial and Tropick of Cancer affords the Inhabitants two Summers When the Sun enters into Cancer which is in June it Rains there continually with Storms of Thunder Lightning and Wind which continues till the middle of October which Jarrik seems to affirm where he writes That it doth Rain there in August September and October and the Air about the middle of June gets a remarkable change growing damp and foggy with Mists out of the Sea The Portuguese find these Islands wild and desolate Plants but most of them now are Till'd and bare Rice Mayz Tares Oranges Lemons Citrons Bananoes Ignames Potatoes Cucumbers Cotton Pomegranates all sorts of Figs Coco-Nuts and Vines which bear Fruit twice a year The principal Cattel breeding here are Goats and Sheep Beasts but they have a few Oxen and Cows Fowl and Poultry increase even to admiration such are Hens Crains Turtle-Doves Turkicocks Morehens Quails and Birds which the Portuguese call Flamingo's that is Flemmings with white Feathers red Quills and a Body like a Goose Their greatest Wealth consists in Goat-skins and Salt Riches which they send in great Parcels from the Islands Del Sall Boavista Mayo and St. Lago by Shipping into Europe This as to the general we will now descend to particulars The Inland of Del Sal lies almost cover'd with Stones but without either Plants or Trees onely towards the South-East Point hard by a white Sandy Bank are seventy two Salt-Pans Many Turtels and Fish are taken between the Cliffs out of which the Slaves decoct a Train-Oil all out of the Salt-Water for they have no fresh In short such is the sterility as affords no other refreshment but poor Goats yearly kill'd in great numbers for their Skins Two Miles from the Road on the South side of the Countrey is a Pond of Salt-Water nine or ten foot deep into which a Brook runs with very clear water but not held to be very wholsome because brakish St. Jago yields all sorts of Fruits having indeed a very fruitful Soyl Trees of Cedar Colcoes Oranges and the like all along beautifie the Banks of the River Ribeira Korea They have also Rice Maiz Mille Cotton and Sugar-Canes The European Herbs and Plants sent thither grow very well there but must be every year renew'd All the Wine they drink Lisbone furnishes them with but other Provisions they can spare to their Neighbors The Cattel there breeding are Oxen Horses Asses and Goats besides Hens Ilha Brava produces Figgs Mulberries and other Fruits also Mille Maiz Water-Melons and many others Some Goats but they may not be sold without leave of the Governor of St. Jago On the Island St. Nicholas are but few Trees It feeds many wild Cats and Goats close by the Shore is fresh Water in a Pond which in time of Rain flows over the Shore into the Sea St. Lucie appears Mountainous with many Woods and some fresh Water At the West side hath no other Inhabitants than Mice and Tortoises At the Watering-place of the Island St. Vincent fresh Water may be had out of Wells but not very pleasant Below on the highest Mountain there floweth a Brook whose Waters are fresh and well tasted all the rest sulphurous and brackish and for that cause unfit to drink The parch'd ground bears little but stones being every where so bare that there is neither Leaves nor Grass to be found but onely a few Shrubby Bushes
which Seamen pull up and fetch for Fuel and Coloquintida which grows in so great quantities that it cannot be destroy'd There are many Tortoises very good in taste and so big that the Sea-men who touch at this Island for fresh Water are compell'd to hale them Aboard with Ropes They come every night in June and July out of the Sea to the Land when the Inhabitants casting them upon their backs by reason of their weight they cannot turn themselves again The Countrey hath many Rocks but little Water The Goats they kill for their Skins which they send yearly to Portugal in great quantities Their Inhabitants are Blacks who live there very soberly without Recreation fetching their Water in Leather Sacks made of Goats Skins in the Year Sixteen hundred twenty three they were onely nineteen persons eight Men seven Women and four young Girls Ilha de Mayo a Rocky and dry Land with little Grass affords onely some few Figg-trees which by the heat of the Climate and dryness of the Ground never bear any ripe Fruit for though the Figgs have a promising colour yet they are insipid or tastless But Goats or Cabriets or Sheep breed so numerously that above five thousand Skins are carry'd thence yearly They have also some little Horses Asses Oxen and Cows Turkeys and Hens of the bigness of a Pheasant with white and black mix'd and speckled Feathers but all wild and in a manner untameable There are many Salt-Pans which after they have let in the Salt-Water being shut up the heat of the Sun consolidates and brings to a Gray-Salt but 't is a toilsome work to gather it and yet more troublesome to get on Ship-board because the Boats are not without great danger of being swallow'd up by the Whirlpits The Inhabitants are Whites and Blacks usually sent thither from St. Jago In the Year Fifteen hundred and five they were two hundred and five and twenty Whites and Blacks Old and Young Exiles and Slaves but in the Year Sixteen hundred twenty and eight there were onely fifty besides Women The Inhabitants have neither Corn nor Clothing unless brought them from St. Jago but there are many Goats which the Portuguese and Blacks there resident catch up with Dogs partly for the Skins and partly for the Flesh St. Anthonio has many Woods and therein several sorts of Fruits as Oranges Lemons Dates Pomegranates Sugar-Canes Bakovens and Melons One Orchard lieth in this Island of which nothing can be seen from Sea but a high Palm-Tree which the people of the Ships in the Bay of St. Vincent discern plainly and commonly send their Boats to barter Knives and other such small Toys for Fruit with the people who have a Portuguese Governor their number generally about five hundred most of them Blacks who from another Orchard bring the Fruits upon Asses to the Shore side to sell to the Sea-men In the latter end of December they have great ripe Citrons Lemons and Oranges many Bananoes but unripe Potatoes and Melons very large and singular good The Island Goree THe Island Goree lieth in fourteen degrees and fifteen minutes North-Latitude about a Stones throw from the firm Land of Cape de Verd in South South-East about half a Canon shot in length and a Musket shot in breadth This Island hath one little Bay with a Road for Ships from whence the Sea-men go Ashore no other place affording that conveniency neither hath it any Brooks or Rivers of fresh Water but fetch all they use from Cape Verd. In the Year sixteen hundred and seventeen King Biram of Cape Verd gave it to the Netherlanders who in a little time erected a Fort there The Fort SNASSAO ORANGE upon the Island GOEREE Het FORT NASSOU van Binnen met ORANJE op â— EILANT GOEREE INSULAE CANARIAE alias FORTUNATAE dictae In the Year Sixteen hundred sixty three both these Forts together with the whole Island were taken by Captain Holmes so the Royal African English Company but the year following on the four and twentieth of October by Admiral de Ruyter regain'd It was at that time possess'd with about sixty English Souldiers under Sir George Abercromy Chief Governor of the Island all which with convenient Boats for their hire were carry'd to the River Gamboa Then both the Forts together with the whole Island was left possessed with about an hundred and fifty Hollanders Commanded by Johannes Cellarius who presently caus'd the fall'n Batteries to be made up raising the upper Fort with a Breast-Work of three Foot higher and fully repairing the lower The Canary Islands or Islands of the Canaries THe Canary Islands by the consent of most eminent Geographers are held to be the Insulae fortunatae or Fortunate Islands of Ptolomy and Pliny though Ptolomy placeth them not far enough to the North setting the most Northerly part of them but at sixteen degrees North-Latitude whereas they extend to the thirtieth degree and therefore we may suppose that they mistook them for the Islands of Cape Verd last before mention'd Some will that the Canaries receiv'd that name from the Spaniards who attributed to all the proper Denomination of the most Eminent which they call'd Canary from the many Dogs found at the first discovery thereof Can signifying a Dog in Spanish whereas the name of Canary was known a long time before by Pliny and Ptolomy the Moors of Barbary call it Elbard from the Pike-Mountain of Teneriff Ptolomy computes the number of these Islands to six and names them Gramage lib. 9. c. 3. Apropite Here or Autolala Pluitalia Casperia Canaria and Centuria Pliny makes the same number but differences their names thus Ombrio great and small Junonie Capraria Niraria and Canaria There are that make Ombrio and Junonie the same with Porto Santo and Madera Pluitalia for Lancerote Casperia or Capraria for Fuerte-ventura Canaria for the Grand Canary which still holds its name At this day the Canary Islands the Holy Haven and Madera being included are seven and known to all by the same names viz. As the Island of Palma Fierro or Ferro Gomere Teneriff Grand Canary Fuerta-Ventura Lancerota or Lanceroto to which number Purchas adds Lobos Rocha Gravosa Santa Clara Alegranca and Inferno by Sanutus reckon'd in this order Vecchio Marino Sante Clare Rocho Gravosa and Alegoranca Ortelius brings among them one that he calleth Selvaia or Savage the most Northerly of all plac'd in the same rank with that of Alegranca and besides Gravosa and Coro which Thevet calleth the Heart Island But these small Spots are of such little concern that many do not so much as name them These Canary Islands whereof Lasaretto Fuerte-Ventura Grand Canary Situation and Teneriff are the chiefest they have their scituation between six and twenty degrees and thirty minutes and twenty degrees and thirty minutes North-Latitude opposite to Cape Nun in Morocco seventy or eighty Miles from the Main-Land of Barbary and nine or ten distant from each other They were for many
Sun passeth Libra the Anniversary Windes coming from the Ocean and Countreys full of Snow in Magellanica being very cold the Vapours not exhaling is the Cause there is there at that time constantly bright and clear Weather We will conclude the whole from the aforesaid Isaac Vossius Lib. de Nili aliâ—rum Fluminum origine who saith thus The opinion of Antient and Modern Writers is That the Nile first rises either out the Mountains of the Moon or out of the great Sea Zaire both which lye beyond the Equinoctial to the Southwards and in that part of Africa which lyes under the Tropick of Capricorn But * Isaac Vossius of the Original of Nile and other Rivers he from the Portuguese Journal-books says That the Spring-heads of Nile lye Northward of the Equinoctial between nine and ten degrees For the better clearing this Point something must be said of the Seasons of the Year and the various Alterations of the Weather in several Climates With those that inhabit beyond the Line and the Tropick of Cancer What Weather and how the Season alters in 23 degrees of North Latitude to the three and twentieth degree and thirty minutes of North Latitude Winter continues as long as the Sun passes through the Northern Constellations coming on leisurely and by degrees for when the Sun enters Taurus or Gemini the Windes begin to rise and some stormy short Showres to fall when it comes into Cancer begin the lasting Rains and continue to the end of September but their greatest violence is while the Sun is in Leo in which time the Rivers under the Torrid Zone swell up very high and the tops of the Hills are cover'd with Snow When the Sun passes Scorpio Sagittary and Capricorn they have clear and moderate Weather but their greatest heat is at the Suns being in Aquarius for then are most of the Channels of the Rivers dry and a great part of Africa choak'd up with Drowth On the other side with such as live between the Line and the Tropick of Capricorn to the three and twentieth degree and a half South Latitude Winter begins at our Autumn as we said before from which time till the Vernal Equinox they have lasting Rains and great Cold Thence commences their Spring which continues to the Suns entrance into Cancer and thence to the Autumnal Equinox makes their Summer so that the Seasons of the Year hold the same time though not the same method both with them and us And all that travel those parts never finde any other Seasons onely the Hills sometimes cause an alteration and stop in this Law of Nature Hence it may be supposed where every River hath its Spring-head for such as lye Northward of the Line overflow in July or August whereas those to the Southward swell principally in January and February The consequence of all is onely this That what River stretches it self from one Tropick to another if any such one there were to be found in the world it must overflow twice in a year but the Nile onely swells immediately after the Suns being in Cancer and never in the Winter so that it must be concluded that his Spring-heads arise from those parts lying under the Artick Signs The beginning of the Niles encrease happens When the Nile begins to overflow in Egypt and when in Ethiopia according to the opinion of most Writers on our seventeenth day of June the Sun passing into Cancer Prosper Alpinus would seem to assign the very hour of the day wherein this encrease was first enquired after but that cannot be because it happens sometimes a day or two sooner or later But in Ethiopia it begins to swell sooner because the first Rain falls there in the beginning of June but forwarder towards Egypt the Nile encreases but slowly as long as the Waters are low but in June and afterwards when thickand lasting Rain falls in Abyssinie then his Current is mightily encreased as well in swiftness as depth Now when the encrease is at the height viz. when the Nile rises to eighteen twenty and more cubits then is his Current extream swift though not so well discernable in a broad Channel as when the Waters are shut up in a narrow an Experiment of which may be gathered out of Francis Alvarez Francis Alvarez The great swiftness of the Nile who speaking of a certain Arm of the Nile that flows out of the Countrey of Dobas into the River of Takaze says When we lay here under the shadow of Willows to repose our selves and bait on a dry and clear day we heard a great Thunder whose noise seemed to come afar off so that we said it thundred as it used to do in India We being then about to pack up our baggage as we did supposing no danger had no sooner taken down and were folding up the Tent wherein we eat our Dinner but one of our Company began to cry aloud to us which startling made us look about when at the same instant we saw coming with a head a great Mountain of Waters rolling towards us with a horrible noise and in the twinckling of an eye swallowed up some part of our ungather'd Carriage and without doubt had swept away the Tent also if standing so that we were necessitated with speed to save our selves from that so sudden surprizal by climbing up the Willows This Water poured down with such an impetuous force as carryed with it great stones rolling and such an amazing fragor that the Earth shook and the Skie ecchoed but this as soon gone as come After this we betook our selves to some poor Cottages we saw scattered in the Countrey but were driven away with stones by the Inhabitants so that we were forced to sup and stay all night under the Canopy of Heaven Next day we went forward and perceived by the way Rain and Thunder as we had the day before but were not troubled therewith Prosper Alpinus says The Inhabitants to foreknow the greatness of the Rivers approaching encrease preserve a dry Clod which at the time of the first swelling grows heavier How true soever this may be yet it 's no certain nor satisfying Prognostication for if this or other tokens before-hand could verifie the completion of their hopes then would they not concern themselves nor be so sollicitous and diligent to mark each days encrease and to publish it by Common Cryers ¶ THere is a great Contest between Antient and Modern Writers Difference about the time of its continuance varying about the Time and Continuance of the increase and decrease of the Nile The general belief is that it rises forty days and falls as many Herodotus Herodotus Diod. Sicul. Ammian Marcell Diodorus Siculus Ammianus Marcellinus and many others say it encreases ninety or a hundred days Aristides longer almost for four moneths time Aristides which differences may easily be reconciled for the Antients call'd the whole time of his Inundation
Fort with a good number of Souldiers and the sum of fifty thousand Escues Abdala also accompanied with a great many Moors did not fail to come to the Place whereupon the Jesuit Matthias instantly with four and twenty of the chiefest of the Galleys stepping out to Land asked for the Kings Son which was promised him for a Hostage Abdala answered He was in the Fort this gave Matthias cause to suspect Treachery whereupon he would have retreated but Abdala and his Souldiers opposing fell in upon them and knockt him and all that came on Land with him to the ground Whereupon the Vice-Roy of Majorca took up his Anchors and withdrew leaving all behind him that were Landed LABES. THe Kingdom of Labes Gramay Affr. 7. l. 25. c. Marmol p. 1.5 l. 28. c. which signifies a kind of Rush in Spanish call'd Esparto of which the Frails or Baskets for Raisins are wrought is by the Turks made a Province of because Tributary to Algier The whole County is Mountainous or rather it is one of the Mountains of the Great Atlas three Miles from Kouko and ten or eleven from Bugie unto which it properly belongs on the East part of which stands a strong Fort call'd Kalaa the Residence of the Xeque or King as at Kuoko of Teleta their Sepulchres At the foot of the Hill lieth two Places Tezli and Boni where by command a Fort was cast up to withstand the Turks The Inhabitants are Brebers and Azuagaes both Warlike People observing the same Customs and Ceremonies with those of Kouko The King can bring into the Field an Army of Thirty thousand Foot and Horse yet at present pays a yearly Tribute to the Bashaw or King of Algier which commonly consists of Four hundred Horses and a thousand Goats for which there is returned to him as a Gratuity in point of Honour a Simiter set with Precious Stones TENEZ IF we would take a Journey out of these Countreys Gramay 7. l. Marm. p. 1.5.6 lying high up into the South back Northward we come to the Territory and City of Tenez one of the Midland Divisions of the Kingdom of Algier It had formerly for Borders on the West The Borders Telensin or Tremizen in the East Algier in the South the Mountains of Atlas and in the North the Midland-Sea but now with the renting off many Pieces is become much less Marmol comprehends under it Brexar Sargel Caesarea or Tiguident Mesane and Meliane but at this day Sargel and Meliane are two distinct Jurisdictions Tiguident and Mesane belong to Meliane and Brexar or Bresch subjected to Sargel The Head City is Tenez The Head City built upon the Plain half a Mile from the Mediterrane by Marmol supposed to be the ancient Laguntum of Ptolomy and by Sanutus taken for Tipasa It stands in the Mid-way between Oran and Algier Seventeen Miles Eastward of the first and as much Westward of the second distant Three Miles from Mostagan and Thirty from Telensin There is in the City a Fort with a Palace formerly the Kings Court and still the Residence of the Provincial Governour sent thither by the King or Bashaw of Algier who also in this Jurisdiction possesses many other Places as Medua formerly call'd Mara lying on the Borders of Getulia and Biledulgerid about Thirty Miles from Algier to the Inland and Forty Eastward of Telensin ¶ MOuntains here shewing themselves are Beni Abukaid Abuzaid The Mountains and Guenezeris by some call'd Guanseris Abuzaid or Zatima lieth close by Tenez to which it belongs Guenezeris very high and craggy from whose Entrails rises the River Selef ¶ THe Land hereabouts brings forth abundance of Wheat The Condition of the Land breeds very good Cattel and yields plenty of Honey Medue abounds with encircling Springs and luxuriant Valleys producing all sort of Fruits Abizaid feeds many Deer or Staggs some Honey but yields great quantities of Barley Guenezeris bears little besides Spart or Rushes and here and there sprinkling a little Tutia or Tutty ¶ THe Natives of Tenez are so homely brutish and ill-natur'd The Customs of the Inhabitants that the Neighbouring Arabs seem to have some Nobleness and Generosity in them Those of Medue are so ignorant that if a Stranger that hath any knowledge come among them they not onely freely entertain and by all good offices endeavour to keep him but also will make him an Arbitrator and Umpire for setling and reconciling all their Differences using in general a civil and decent Habit. From Tenez they Export and Barter Wheat Barley and the like Their Trade for the Imported Commodities of other Countreys and after a good Market send them out again to Algier and other Places The Abuzaidans come usually with Wax and Hides to Tenez Markets to Trade with Europaean Merchants TEBECA TEbeca or Tebesia took the Name of the Head City Gramâ—y 7.6 â— 2. â— Marâ—â— p. 1.5.6 anciently called Thabuna and belonging to the Kingdom of Tunis but now separated and divided from them together with Constantine and connected to this The Head City lieth on the Borders of Biledulgerid The Borders two and twenty miles Southward from the Mediterrane begirt with a high and strong Wall of great Hewen Stones supposed to be built by the Romans In and about these places great Antiquities Pillars and Marble Remains of Monuments with Latine Inscriptions upon them are found In a Mountain close by the City may be seen many great Gaves which the People believe to have been the Recesses of Giants Many Authors of Eminency have written that there is scarcely in Europe a goodlier Place either for magnificence or curiosity of Buildings though it have undergone many sore Storms from the Arabs At present it is of that excellency that they say Proverbially it excells all the Cities of Barbary in three things viz. the fairness of the Walls the Springs or Fountains and the Nutt-trees wherewith surrounded on all sides it seems to stand in a Wood yet the Air about it is very unhealthful and the Ground Lean and Barren HUMANBAR THe first Maritime Province of Algier is Humanbar Borders lying on the Shore of the Midland-Sea opposite to the City Almeria in Granada having for Neighbour on one side The City Humanbar Fez on the other Haresgol and Horan The principal City Humanbar by some called Hunaim by Marmol Ona and by the Moors Deiratuneyn which Ruscelig in his Addition to Ptolomy will have to be Urbara and Gramay the old Siga mentioned by Ptolomy It was by the Spaniards in the Year Fifteen hundred thirty and three Sacked and Destroyed so that it never since had any Inhabitants says Marmol but Gramay tells us it is now re-peopled and the chief place in this Dominion Haren hath a small Haven Haren strengthened with two Block-houses and a strong Wall to the Sea-side The Houses are built with various coloured Brick and plentifully served with good Water Here are two other Cities
Tebekrit viz. Tebekrit and Ned-Roma Tebekrit formerly called Thudaka now fam'd for little but its vicinity to the Mediterranean Sea Ned-Roma Ned-Roma that is New-Rome scituate upon a Plain three miles from the same Sea and one and a half from Atlas and the same which Ptolomy called Celama The Walls Houses Ruines and huge Alabaster Columns with Latin Insciptions testifie it to have been a Roman Structure not far from whence are the two great Hills Tarasa and Galhasu out of whose sides is digged Iron All the Land as well Mountains as Plains abound with Figs Apples Karrabes or St. Johns-Bread Citrons Granates Peaches Olives Melons Cotton and Flax. And some few places yield Wheat Barley and other Grain HARESGOL HAresgol another Maritime Territory so called from the City of the same Name where the Governour keeps his Residence by Marmols computation standing Eastward of Humanbar Westward of Horan about four miles from Tremezen at the influx of the River Teffene anciently called Siga into the Mediterrane on the East side towards the Sea guarded by a Castle This City in the Year Fifteen hundred and seventy by Don Pedro of Navarre was Sacked and Plundered but left by him the Arabians re-entred and possess it to this day under the Protection of the Turks who maintain a Garrison in the Fort. THE MARQUISATE OF HORAN HOran lying also by the Sea Butts on the West upon Haresgol Its Borders and to the East on Tenez and Sargel The City of Oran call'd by the Inhabitants Guharan and by some held to be the Quiza of Pliny or Buisa or Visa of Ptolomy which others contradicting say it was that which he nam'd Icosium It hath been known to former Ages by many several Names as Madura Ara and Auran whence some derive the present Oran It is the Head City of this small Tract seated at the edge of the Midland-Sea oppofite to Cartagena in Spain thirty five miles from Telensin It stands partly on the hanging of a Hill partly in a Plain having the Sea on one side and on the other Trees Brooks and Fountains The Streets are narrow crooked and without order the Houses also mean and scattering yet surrounded with indifferent handsom and high Walls but the Haven very incommodious especially as to some Winds In the most flourishing time the Inhabitants reckoned six thousand Houses besides Temples Hospitals Baths and Inns. Most of the Citizens were Weavers others lived of their yearly Revenues which they raised from their Sale of Barley the adjacent Countrey yielding little Rye or Wheat Many Merchants arrived hither from Catalonia Genoa Venice and other Places who drove a great Trade with the Citizens whose deportment towards them was very courteous and friendly They held Wars a long time with the King of Telensin who would have imposed on them a Governour which they would never admit but among themselves chose a Magistrate whom they impowered to decide all differences arising and was the Judge in all criminal Causes either as to Life or Death By this means and their unity among themselves they became at length so powerful that at their own Cost they maintained a Fleet with which they Pillaged upon all the Coasts of Spain and became as it were a Prison of Captive Christians This so provoked the Spaniard that he sent an Army thither under the Command and Conduct of the Cardinal of Spain Francis Ximenes which with the help of the Biscayners in the Year Five hundred and nine the Eighth day of May with the Loss onely of thirty men and the Redemption of twenty thousand Christian Slaves took it and much defaced its former Lustre yet still there is a stately Palace the Residence of the Kings Lieutenant a Council-House Exchange great Church and several rich Hospitals Here are two other little Cities call'd by Gramay Aghard and Agbal besides Mazagran and Mastagan both possessed by the Turks together with the Mountain Magarava Mazagran hath a Haven the same as Marmol thinks which Ptolomy named the Haven of the Gothes and is environed with high Walls and both strengthened and beautified with a great Castle Mostagan by Sanutus and others call'd Mestugam by some taken for Cartena but by others for the Trada of Ptolomy by the Sea side nine miles Eastward of Horan and one small mile from Mazagran It contains fifteen hundred Houses a fair Church a convenient Haven and on the South side a strong Castle Mount Magarava extending Nine Miles in length upon the Sea-Coast parteth Tremecen and Tenez one from another takes its Name from the Magaravaes a People so called that Inhabit there at whose feet stand both the former Towns About Mostagan the Land is very Rich and Fruitful but lieth waste and uninhabited by the continual Thieveries of the Arabs and Magarava breeds many Cattel and yields good store of Wheat The Mazagrans are untoward Their Employment and ill-conditioned being for the most part Shepherds but the Magaravaes are Warlike and of a haughty Courage not living in Houses but like the wild Arabians removing from place to place with their Cattel Their Language broken Arabick and their Lives spent without any certain order onely for convenience sake they pay to Algier an Annual Tribute of Twelve thousand Escues or French Crowns A Mile Westward of Horan by the side of a little Bay stands Marzalquibir thought to be the place which Ptolomy calleth The Great Haven and placed in Mauritania Caesariensis nor is the Opinion without great shew of Reason for that Marzalquibir Marzalquibir as Marmol says signifies in the Moorish Tongue A Great Haven and indeed it is of so vast an Extent that many think the whole World cannot shew a greater nor is the Magnitude all for it is a secure and safe Port for Shipping against all Winds and Storms This with all its advantages in the Year Fifteen hundred and five was by the Marquess de Comarez taken from the Moors and annexed to Spain under which it long hath and still doth continue SARGEL SArgel another Tributary Jurisdiction of Algier formerly a Member of Tenez so named from its chief City Sargel which some suppose to be the ancient Canuccis and others Cartena but generally in many Mapps Entituled Sargel The Romans erected it by the Mediterranean Sea Nine Miles to the East of Tenez and surrounded it with an high Wall of Hewen Stone The chiefest Monuments are the remaining Ruines of a Magnificent Temple built all of Marble or Alabaster a stupendious Work and worthy the Roman Grandeur brought to that Ruine by Cayne the Califf of Cairavan when he took the City from the Arabians and destroyed it from which time it lay desolate untill the Year Fourteen hundred and ninety two when the Moors banished out of Granada pitching there began to People and Re-build it De STADT ALGIER ¶ TWo miles Eastward of Sargel appears a Mountain The Mountain of Karapula which the Turks call Carapula the Moors Giraflumar and the Christians
of a Bason The Vines which afford those excellent Wines grow all about the Island within a Mile of the Sea such as are planted farther up are not esteem'd nor will they thrive in any of the other Islands Concerning the Guanchio's or antient Inhabitants he gave this full account The third of September about twelve years since he took his Journey from Guimar a Town for the most part inhabited by such as derive themselves from the antient Guanchio's in the Company of some of them to view their Caves and the Corps buried in them a favour they seldom or never permit to any having the Corps of their Ancestors in great veneration and likewise being extremely against any molestation of the Dead but he had done several Eleemosinary Cures among them for they are very poor yet the poorest think themselves too good to Marry with the best Spaniard which endeared him to them exceedingly otherwise it is death for any Stranger to visit these Caves and Bodies The Corps are sew'd up in Goat-skins with Thongs of the same with very great curiosity particularly in the incomparable exactness and evenness of the Seams and the Skins are made very close and fit to the Corps which for the most part are entire the Eyes clos'd Hair on their Heads Ears Nose Teeth Lips and Beard all perfect onely discolour'd and a little shrivell'd likewise the Pudenda of both Sexes He saw about three or four hundred in several Caves some of them standing others lying upon Beds of Wood so hardned by an Art they had which the Spaniards call Curay to cure a piece of Wood that no Iron can pierce or hurt it These Bodies are very light as if made of Straw and in some broken Bodies be observ'd the Nerves and Tendons and also the String of the Veins and Arteries very distinctly By the relation of the most antient of this Island they had a particular Tribe that had this Art onely among themselves and kept it as a thing sacred and not to be communicated to the Vulgar These mixt not themselves with the rest of the Inhabitants nor Marry'd out of their own Tribe and were also their Priests and Ministers of Religion But when the Spaniards conquer'd the Place most of them were destroy'd and the Art perisht with them onely they held some Traditions yet of a few Ingredients that were us'd in this business they took Butter some say they mixed Bears-grease with it which they kept for that purpose in the Skins wherein they boyl'd certain Herbs first a kind of wild Lavender which grows there in great quantities upon the Rocks secondly an Herb call'd Lara of a very gummy and glutinous consistence which now grows there under the tops of the Mountains thirdly a kind of Cyclamen or Sow-bread fourthly wild Sage which grows plentifully upon this Island These with others bruised and boyl'd up with Butter rendred it a perfect Balsom This prepar'd they first unbowel the Corps and in the poorer sort to save Charges took out the Brain behind after the Body was thus order'd they had in readiness a Lixivium made of the Bark of Pine-Trees wherewith they washt the Body drying it in the Sun in Summer and in the Winter in a Stove this repeating very often Afterward they began their Unction both without and within drying it as before this they continu'd till the Balsom had penetrated into the whole Habit and the Muscle in all parts appear'd through the contracted Skin and the Body became exceeding light then they sew'd them up in the Goat-skins as was mention'd before The Antients say that they have above twenty Caves of their Kings and great Personages with their whole Families yet unknown to any but themselves and which they will never discover Lastly he says That Bodies are found in the Caves of the Grand Canaries in Sacks quite consumed and not as these in Teneriff Antiently when they had no knowledge of Iron they made their Lances of Wood hardned as before mention'd They have Earthen Pots so hard that they cannot be broken Of these some are found in the Caves and old Bavances and us'd by the poorer People that find them to boyl Meat in Their Food is Barley Parched and then Ground with little Stone-Mills and mingled with Milk and Honey which they always carry with them in Goat-skins at their Backs To this day they drink no Wine nor care for Flesh they are very ingenious lean tall active and full of courage for they will leap from Rock to Rock from a very prodigious heighth till they come to the bottom sometimes making ten Fathom deep at one Leap in this manner First they Tertiate their Lances which are about the bigness of a Half-Pike and aim with the Point at any piece of a Rock upon which they intend to light sometimes not half a Foot broad in leaping off they clap their Feet close to the Lance and so carry their Bodies in the Air the Point of the Lance comes first to the place which breaks the force of their fall then they slide gently down by the Staff and pitch with their Feet on the very place they first design'd and so from Rock to Rock till they come to the bottom But their Novices sometimes break their Necks in the learning He told also and the same was seriously confirm'd by a Spaniard and another Canary Merchant there in the Company That they Whistle so loud as to be heard five Miles off and that to be in the same Room with them when they Whistle were enough to endanger the breaking of the Tympanum of the Ear and added That he being in Company of one that Whistled his loudest could not hear perfectly in fifteen days after He affirms also that they throw Stones with a force almost as great as that of a Bullet and now use Stones in all their Fights as they did antiently Thus far Mr. Sprat Gomere IN the West of Teneriff lieth Gomere in six and twenty Degrees and a half North-Latitude a barren Island yet producing Wine and Sugar Palma THe Island of Palma the most Westerly of all the Canaries lieth twelve Miles Northward of Ferro and four from Gomere in eight and twenty Degrees North-Latitude It is small but exceeding fruitful hath plenty of Pasture affords many Grapes and Coleworts Sugar and other Fruits and abounds with Cheese and Milk but the chiefest Trade consists in Wine Ferro or Iron-Isle THe Island call'd by the Spaniâ—rds Hierro by the Portuguese Fierro and by the Italians Ferro which all signifie Iron lieth four Miles from Gomere in six and twenty Degrees and forty Minutes North-Latitude and held by some undoubtedly to be the Pluitalia of Ptolomy or Ombron or Pluvialia of Pliny and Solinus It comprehends some Towns of which the chief possesseth a Cloyster and a Church of St. Francis it hath little Water and that which they have is brackish and unsavory but this inconvenience and want receives a strong supply from a