would know it by taking notice of its seeds. The Tartars and all who are acquainted with it, boil the leaves in a kettle with water, and when they have allowed the liquor to cool they drink it as though it were wine, and say it is very refreshing; and I can affirm that it is so from my own experience. Recommending myself to your Grace, I am your Grace’s servant, JOSAFA BARBARO. Venice, this 23rd of May, 1491. FOOTNOTES [1] Kum tepeh, or sand mound. [2] See Haxthausen, vol. ii, cap. xxi, for descriptions of these Tumuli. [3] Ordu, camp. [4] Treene or Treen, _i.e._, wooden. [5] Baron Haxthausen mentions a somewhat similar custom as still existing among the Russian peasants. [6] Tulubagator is Tulu Bahadur; Bahadury means swaggering or boasting. The Russian word Bogatir is supposed to be derived from Bahadur. [7] From the text it seems this should be translated: “whilst we cried to him, you will never return, you will never return.” [8] This perhaps is one of the earliest occasions of gipsies being mentioned. [9] The text is: uccellano a camelioni che da noi non s’usano. [10] There are many of these crutches to be seen in the bazars and houses at Constantinople, but the use and object of them is forgotten. They are still used in Persia. [11] Tessels, or tassels, for tiercels, a term for a hawk; the text is: & viddi appresso di lui, quattro ouer cinque di quell’ herbe, che noi chiamiamo garzi: sopra lequali eran’ alcuni cardellini. [12] Nowe; _i.e._, enough. [13] In Wallachia the villagers go in their carts to a distance from their village and from any water, and plough and sow the ground, and return again in the same way to gather in the harvest. [14] Zattera is Italian for a platform, raft, or framework for sailors to stand on in harbour to work at the ship’s sides. [15] Hassan Bey Ak-Koyunlu. [16] Kabarda. [17] Mingrelia. [18] Hajy Terkhan or Astrakhan. [19] Murteza Khan. [20] Furlane; _i.e._, of Forli. [21] Buzah, Turkish and Persian, a kind of beer; here it means Kwass. [22] Dunny; _i.e._, stupid. [23] Ramusio has the preceding clause here—“It may be twenty-five years ago.” [24] _Kazan_ is Turkish for a cauldron. [25] Ermines. [26] Skins of grey squirrels. [27] Nove castelli; _i.e._, new castles. [28] Troki, near Wilna. [29] Whereas, used here, and at page 38, for wherein. [30] Ramusio prints Varsonich. [31] Or: a quarter of an ell below their chins. [32] Giubbe; _i.e._, jubbeh. [33] Endure, abide. [34] The text of Ramusio has—E andava intorno alla polita. [35] Ramusio has—Tiflis. [36] Schioppetti. [37] Polvere da trarli. [38] Ramusio has—The Pope. [39] _Ibid._ has—named Cassambeg. [40] _Ibid._—named Pirameto. [41] _Ibid._—which, according to the ancients, was Corycus. [42] Ramusio has—56. [43] _Ibid._ has—of the Supreme Pontiff. [44] στρατιωται.