But there is a curious phenomenon to be noticed--the free distribution of this name among sea islands, especially of the Azores archipelago, from an early date. Thus the Pizigani map of 1367[81] applies it with slight change of spelling not only to the original disc-form Brazil west of Ireland and to a mysterious crescent-form island, which must be Mayda, but to what is plainly meant for Terceira of the main middle group of the Azores (Fig. 2). The Spanish Friar, naming Brazil in his island list about 1350, appears also to mean Terceira, judging by the order of the names.[82] His matter-of-fact tone indicates a long-settled item. This carries us well back toward the first settled date for the Irish Brazil in cartography. Further, the name still adheres to Terceira, though long restricted to a single mountainous headland. The explanation remains a matter of conjecture. Perhaps the Azores islands that bore it borrowed from the older Brazil west of Ireland. Perhaps also the word had gone about that islands were notable for dyes--archil, for example--and the special dye name brazil has been loosely affixed in consequence. On some of the maps certain alternative names are given, which do not greatly further our investigation. Thus the very first one which shows Brazil--Dalorto, 1325--adds Montonis as a second choice (Fig. 4). This has been understood to mean the Isle of Rams, linking it with Edrisi’s Isle of Sheep, a quite ancient fancy, sometimes referred to the Faroes, but of very uncertain identification. But Freducci,[83] 1497, makes it Montanis; Calapoda,[84] 1552, Montorius; and an anonymous compass chart of 1384,[85] Monte Orius. In all these the idea of mountains, not sheep, is dominant. The change from “a” to “o” is easy with a not very vigilant transcriber, and it is most likely that Freducci preserves the original form and meaning. The Pizigani map of 1367 is confused and enigmatic on this point, as in all its inscriptions. It seems to read (Fig. 2) “Ysola de nocorus sur de brazar,” but it may best be set aside as too uncertain. Equally unenlightening is the “de Brazil de Binar” of Bianco’s 1448 map.[86] If the “n” be read “m,” the inscription may mean “Brazil of the two seas;” but the allusion is mystifying. Fra Mauro’s inscription before quoted merely bears testimony to Brazil’s benign and almost Elysian repute and its connection with the Green Isle in fancy. LOCATION AND SHAPE OF THE ISLAND