Terra Australis Incognita; Or, A New Southern Discovery, containing A Fifth Part of the WorldQueirós, Pedro Fernandes de
History
Terra Australis Incognita; Or, A New Southern Discovery, containing A Fifth Part of the World
Queirós, Pedro Fernandes de
Discoveries in geography; Oceania -- Discovery and exploration; Voyages and travels
Fish, Harghi, Persereyes, Lize, Soles, Trouts, Shads, Macabises,
Casanes, Pampani, Pilchards, Thorn-backs or Skate-fish, Cuculi, Congers,
Porposes, Rochets, Muskles, Lobsters, and many other, the Names whereof
I cannot now remember. But it is probable that there are divers other
kinds, since those which I have recounted were taken hard by our Ships.
And upon ripe and serious Consideration of that which I have represented
unto you, a Man may easily collect, that such plentiful and different
Varieties of all things, may yield large means to inhabit there, with
great and singular Delights. There is Stuff for Marchpanes and sweet
Confections of all sorts, without borrowing any Spice for the
Composition of them elsewhere. And for my Mates the Mariners, besides
those Particulars which I have before set down, there will be no want of
Gammons, Sausages, and other salt Meats which Hogs do yield; neither of
Vinegar, Spiceries, and other Sauces that serve for Delicacy, and to
awake the Appetite. And you must observe, that many of these things are
the same with those which we have in our Parts, and possibly they are
there in greater abundance; by all which it is easily to be conjectured,
that this Country is fit for the production of all that which groweth in
_Europe_.
The Riches which I have seen in those parts is Silver and Pearl. Another
Captain in his Relation doth report, that he hath seen Gold, which are
the three most precious Darlings that lie and are cherished in the Bosom
of Nature. We have also both of us seen many Nutmegs, much Mastick,
Ginger, and Pepper. There is also Cinamon; and it is likely that Cloves
may be found in those parts, since so many other sorts of Spiceries and
Aromatical Drugs do prosper there; and that the rather, because these
Countries lie very near the parallel of the Isles of _Terre-natte_,
_Bachian_, and the _Moluccos_. There are likewise Materials for all
sorts of Silk, and we have seen Anise-seed and excellent good Ebony, as
also other kind? of Wood proper for the Building of as many Ships as one
will desire, and Stuff to make Sails for the same. Three sorts of
Materials there are wherewithal to make Cordage, and one of them is very
like unto our Hemp. Moreover, out of the Oil of _Cocos_, whereof I have
already made mention, there is a kind of bituminous Stuff extracted,
called _Galagala_, which may be well used for Pitch. They make also a
kind of Rosen, with which the _Indians_ pitch their Boats, which they
call _Piraques_. And since there are Goats and Cows in those parts,
without question we shall have Goat-Skins, Leather, Tallow, and Flesh in
full abundance. The Bees which we have seen there do make proof, that
there will be no Scarcity of Honey and Wax. And there is good Appearance
to discover many other things which are not yet known, to say nothing
touching the Form and Site of the Country. Unto all which, if that be
adjoined, which the Industry of Man may contribute to those Parts, since
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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