[273] The Dutch. [274] _Canafistulo_: referring to the drug known as senna, which is obtained from the leaves of several species of _Cassia_. According to Retana (Zuniga's _Estadismo_, ii, p. 454*) the Bisayan name for this plant is _ibabao_ (the ancient name of Samar Island). [275] "Eagle" (Latin, _aguila_) is here a corruption of the Malay name _agila_, referring to the fragrant, resinous wood of a tree (_Aguilaria agallocha_) used for many centuries by Asiatic peoples, especially the Chinese, for incense; it is also called "Kalambak" and "aloes-wood." Calambuco is another species of this genus, its wood little fragrant, but used in cabinet work (_Century Dictionary_). [276] True wealth and prosperity of the republic of Venice were largely due to its preeminence in the Oriental trade, carried on by the overland route through Asia, in caravans. By the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope the Portuguese opened the sea-route to India, by which the products of the East were carried to Europe more cheaply and in greater abundance; and the decline of Venetian prestige and wealth rapidly followed (in the sixteenth century). [277] This probably refers to Giovanni Pietro Maffei, a noted Jesuit scholar and writer, and the book mentioned is his _Historiarum Indicarum Libri xvi_ (Fiorenze, 1588). Maffei was born at Bergame about 1536, according to Moreri, but in 1533 according to Sommervogel. In 1563 he accepted the chair of rhetoric at Genoa, where he also acted as secretary of the republic of Genoa. August 26, 1565 (Sommervogel) he entered the Jesuit novitiate. He occupied a high place in the order until his death at Tivoli, October 20, 1603. Besides the book mentioned above, he wrote also a life of St. Ignatius Loyola, and a history of the pontificate of Gregory XIII, the latter of which was never published. His temper was irascible and his personality not very pleasing. He strove always to maintain a pure Latin style in his Latin writings. [278] Argensola, like Morga, confuses the naming of the Philippine archipelago. [279] The aquatic plant commonly known as "cat-tail flag" or reed (_Typha latifolia_). [280] A measure, one-third vara in length. [281] Small armed vessels like rafts. [282] This was Father Antonio Marta, a Neapolitan, and superior of the Jesuit missions in the Malucas; with him was associated Antonio Pereira, so prominent in the expedition of Hurtado de Mendoza. See La Concepcion's account of Marta's services at this time (_Hist. de Philipinas_, ii, pp. 197-204). Marta is not mentioned by Sommervogel. [283] See Dasmarinas's version of this proceeding, in _Vol_. VIII, pp. 239, 294; he there states that the Indians thus taken were to be freed at the end of three years' service. Cf. _Vol_. X, p. 214.