c

UNITED STATES CATHOLIC HISTORICAL SOCIETY

MONOGRAPH

IV

COSMOGRA1
N RODUC 10
OF

>

MARTIN WALDSEEMULLER
IN FACSIMILE
Followed by the Four Voyages of Amerigo Vespucci,
with their Translation into English
to
;

which

are

added

Waldseemuller's

Two World Maps

Introduction

of 1507

With an

BY
PROF.

JOSEPH FISCHER,

S.J.,

AND PROF.

FRANZ VON WIESER

EDITED BY
PROF.

CHARLES GEORGE HERBERMANN,

PH.D.

NEW YORK
PUBLISHED BY

THE UNITED STATES CATHOLIC

HISTORICAL SOCIETY
1907

COPYRIGHT,
BY

1908,

THE UNITED STATES CATHOLIC

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

MAR 2

3 1959

LIST OF OFFICERS
Honorary President

MOST

REV. JOHN

M. FARLEY, D.D.

President

CHARLES GEORGE HERBERMANN,PH.D., LL.D., Lit.D.

Vice-President

STEPHEN FARRELLY
'Treasurer

RICHARD

S.

TREACY, A.B.

Recording Secretary

JOHN E. CAHALAN, A.M.

Corresponding Secretary

JOSEPH H. FARGIS, LL.B.

Librarian

REV.

M.

J.

CONSIDINE

Trustees

RT. REV. MGR. JOSEPH F. MOONEY, V.G.

RT. REV.

MGR. JAMES H. McGEAN, LL.D.

HUGH KELLY, LL.D. PETER CONDON, LL.B. THOMAS S. O'BRiEN,LL.D.

HENRY HEIDE
THOMAS
F.

MEEHAN, A.M.

Councillors

HON. EDWARD
REV.

AMEND, LL.D. WILLIAM R. KING THOMAS J. CAMPBELL, S.J. EDWARD J. McGuiRE, LL.B. REV. JOHN J. BURKE, C.S.P.
B.

REV. JOSEPH

F.

DELANY, D.D.

PREFACE
FOUR hundred
St.

years ago, in the

little

town of

Die

in

Lorraine, the

geographer, Martin
flat

Waldseemuller, published two world maps, one

for use as a globe, the other a

projection

of the then known world. These two maps were the first that gave to the new world the name " America," which it bears to this day. At the same time, WaldseemiiHer published a
pamphlet of forty pages whose purpose was to explain the world map and its various features,
bearings on geographical sides, and its record Here the author set forth of new discoveries.
its

his reason for calling the

" America."

newly found continent The pamphlet bore the title, CosIntroduction to Cos-

mographia Introductio or

By cosmography was meant geography, but Waldseemiiller's little work has

mography.
special reference to the

the same time.

Introductio

world map published at As part of the Cosmographies

a

appeared

Latin

version
It

of the

four voyages of

Amerigo Vespucci.

was

to

serve as a justification for calling the

new world

"America."

Preface

The United
desirous of

States Catholic Historical Society,

commemorating the four-hundredth

memorial volume consisting:

anniversary of this notable event, publishes here-

with a

little

an excellent facsimile reprint of the 1507 edition of the Cosmographies Introductio y which is one of the treasures of the
FIRST.

Of

This also inUniversity Library of Strasburg. cludes the four voyages of Amerigo Vespucci,

by Jean Basin of Sendacour. This copy belonged in 1510 to the celebrated humanist Beatus Rhenanus of Schlettstadt as aptranslated into Latin

pears

from

his

name
the

at

SECOND.
troductio

Of

the foot of the title-page. translation of these two

;

documents into English

the Cosmographies

In-

being translated by Prof. Edward Burke and the Four Voyages of Amerigo Vespucci by Dr. Mario E. Cosenza;

THIRD.

Of an

excellent reduced facsimile of

Waldseemiiller's map, 14x26 inches (the original is 8 feet long and 4^ feet high), from the only

remaining copy of the

map found

in

1901 by

Professor Joseph Fischer, S.J., at the castle of

Wolfegg in Wiirtemberg; FOURTH. Of a facsimile copy of the Waldseemiiller globe, now in the Hauslab-Liechtenstein collection at Vienna which was identified

by Gallois; FIFTH.

Of

an

introduction discussing the

vi

Preface
various problems raised by Waldseemiiller's publications by Prof. Joseph Fischer, S.J., the dis-

coverer of the Waldseemiiller map, and Prof. F. von Wieser of the University of Innsbruck,

whose

authoritative scholarship on all questions

touching

Martin Waldseemuller

is

recognized

everywhere.
It is needless to say a

word on the appropri-

ateness of this publication at the present time. Besides its sentimental value, the publication will

copy of the oldest map cut in wood, and probably of the oldest wall map ever The map will exhibit a picture of published.
offer the reader a

the world such as

years ago and,
it

it

was known four hundred

we may

was known

add, substantially such as to Columbus himself, while the

facsimile of the pamphlet will present us with a

piece of early Strasburg black letter.

Editor desires to express his warm recognition of the courtesies of Professors Fischer,

The

and von Wieser in preparing their authoritative exposition of the history and significance
S.J.,

of the Cosmographite panying documents.

Introductio

and the accom-

He

also returns his sincere

thanks to Dr. Leigh Harrison Hunt, Professors William Fox, August Rupp, and Dr. J. Vincent Crowne of the College of the City of New

York

for valuable assistance given in the prepa-

ration of this work.

vn

INTRODUCTION
PROF. JOS. FISCHER, S.J., AND PROF. FR. v. WIESER, PH.D.
years ago, on the 25th of April, 1507, there appeared in a little out-of-the-way Vosges village, St. Die, in Lorraine, a little book

BY

FOUR hundred

destined to attain great historical importance a became of book which later the utmost interest,
particularly for America. is as follows:

The

title

of the book

COSMOGRAPHY INTRODVCTIO,
CVM QVIBVSDAM GEOMETRIC AC ASTRONOMIC PRINCIPIIS AD EAM REM NECESSARIIS.
Insuper

quatuor

Americi Vespucii

Navi-

gationes. Universalis Cosmographies descriptio tarn in solido quam piano, eis etiam insertis, quae

Ptholomago ignota a nuperis reperta sunt. As appears from the title, this book consists
of two distinct parts: a geographical introduction (Cosmographia Introductio}, and an account of the four voyages of Amerigo Vespucci (Quatuor Americi Vespucii Moreover, Navigafiones)
.

Introduction

we

see that

two maps belong

to the

book

a in

globe and a plane projection, on

addition to

which,

what was already known to Ptolemy, all newly discovered lands are laid down. This work in its four parts was destined to
measure, the lively interest evinced by all classes of that day in geographical research, and particularly in the marvelous
satisfy,

in

great

accounts of the discoveries recently the Spanish and Portuguese.

made by
and

The
in
a

publication

met with
as

instant success,

few months
issued.

several editions

of the text

were
self

The map,

Waldseemuller him-

informs us in a later publication, attained in a short time a circulation of not less than a

thousand copies. So it came about that a proposal made in the text and carried out in the two maps, viz., that
the

newly

discovered

continent

be

called

AMERICA,

was

at

once generally adopted and

of the

prevailed despite later opposition. On the four-hundredth anniversary

christening of America,
to render

it

seems right and proper

generally accessible in facsimile the four parts of the publication to which the

more

New World
The

owes

its

name.

parts of the original publication of 1 507 at present are scattered ; they are bibliographical
curiosities

and accessible only

to the select few.

Introduction

Of
St.
1

the Cosmographies
i

Introductio,

printed at

Die, in

prints,

we

507, omitting mention of later rehave two chief editions: one of the

25th of April, 1507 (vii KaL Maii}, and the other of the agth of August, 1507 (nit KaL Of each of these editions there are two Sept.}*
variants.

In

one

Martinus

Ilacomilus

(the

Graecized form of the

name of

Waldseemiiller),

and in the other the Gymnasium Vosagense are named as the editors. These variations appear
in the dedication of the

work

to the

Emperor

Maximilian
1
.

Divo Maximiliano Ctesari Augusto Martinus

Ilacomilus fcelicitatem optat.

2.

Divo Maximiliano Ccesari semper Augusto

(!)

Vosagense non rudibus indoctisve artium humanitatis commentatoribus nunc exultans

Gynnasium

gloriam cun

fcelici desiderat principatu.

The Gymnasium Vosagense was composed of

1

The

Strasburg edition appeared in

509, the
differences

undated

Lyons

edition about
1

1518.
statements
their

Detailed

regarding

the

in

the

two

editions

be found in the following : D'Avezac], Martin Hylacomylus Waltzemuller,ses ouvrages et ses

and

readings

may

[M.
colla-

tor ateurs, Paris, 1867

H.

Harrisse, Bibliotheca
Paris,

sima,

New

York, 1866, and Additions,

Americana Vetustis1872 ; Ed. Meaume,

ses

Recherches critiques et bibliographiques sur Am'eric Vespuce et

Voy-

e ages (Me"moires Soc. d'Archologie Lorraine, 3 serie, t. xvi, Nancy, 1888; J. Boyd-Thacher, The Continent of America, Its Discovery

and

Its

Baptism,

New

York,

896

F. v. Wieser in his introduction

to the facsimile

edition of the

Cosmographies Introductio in the colin

lection,

Drucke und Holzschnitte des XV. und XVI. Jahrhunderts getreuer Nachbildung, Strasburg, T. H. Ed. Heitz, 1907.

Introduction

group of humanists' which Canon Walter Ludd, secretary to Duke Rene II of Lorraine, had gathered about him, and which
small
2

published his works in the printing-house erected there by Ludd himself. Besides Walter Ludd,
this

literary

circle

counted

among

its

most

prominent members Nicholas Ludd, the nephew

of Walter, Joh. Basinus Sendacurius, Philesius Ringmann, and Martin Waldseemuller. The
last

two,

it
3

is

true, entered the service

of the

two Ludds only as paid printers; but there can be no doubt that Waldseemuller and Ringmann were the most learned members of the

Gymnasium Vosagense

those of the greatest

lit-

erary attainments. The question now arises to explain the discrepant statements of the
editions, the

how
two

one of which ascribes to the Gymnasium Vosagense, the other to Waldseemulleralone,

the editorship of the Cosmographies Introductio.
1

The word Gymnasium

should not here

be interpreted

as

an

As to the various significations of the Gymnasium Vosagense see A. v. Humboldt, Kritische Untersuchungen, Berlin, 1852, ii, 363; D'Avezac, I.e., p. 1 1 sq. ; C. Schmidt, Histoire litterair e de F Alsace, Paris, 1879, "' IXI > ^' Gallois, Le Gymnase Vosgien (Bulletin de la Socit de geographic de 1'Est 1900, p. 88 sqq.). " a " Officina mea literaria / by these words Ludd designates this printing-house in his letter of dedication which prefaces Philesius Ringmann' s Grammatica Figurata, also printed at St. Die. 3 " Domini met " the two Ludds are called by Waldseemuller in his letter to Amerbach, dated the jth of April, 1507, published by C. Schmidt in his essay, Mathias Ringmann Philesius (Memoires de la e Soc. d'Archeologie Lorraine, 3 serie, t. iii, Nancy, 1873, p. 2Z 7)> and reproduced by Harrisse in The Discovery of North America, Paris, London, 1892, p. 441.
educational institution.

Introduction

We
the

know

that Walter

Liidd, the

head of

Gymnasium

Vosagense, had not only esa

tablished, as
office at St.

previously mentioned,

printing

Die and was an author, but had

also furnished the

produced by other and that in the present case he had moreover

procured the necessary
1

money for members of

the publications the Gymnasium,

scientific material.

As

literary collaborators in the Cosmographies

Introductio are to

be mentioned Philesius Ring-

The Joh. Basinus Sendacurius. former contributed two poems a shorter dedimann and
cated to

Emperor Maximilian

I,

and a longer

intended for the reader.

The

latter furnished

the Latin version of the four voyages of Amerigo Vespucci, and as a preface a decastich and a

ad lectorem. There can be no doubt, however, that Martinus Waldseemuller (Ilacomilus) must be recogdistich

nized as the real publisher of the entire work; for not only did the treatise on cosmography originate from his pen, but the two maps going

Both with the work were designed by him. parties, therefore, in a way had the right to
pose as authors of the work. In view, however, of the fact that Martin Waldseemuller under-

took the

principal
all its
I.e., p.

task,

and that

the

work

represents in

scientifically significant parts

65.

'See D'Avezac,

Introduction
his intellectual property, of honor to connect his

we consider it a point name forever with the

publication of the Cosmographies Introductio.

For

this

reason, also,

we

have chosen

the

reading of the edition

25th of April, 1507, containing his name and which must typographically be regarded as the editio princeps,

of the

for reproduction in our facsimile edition.

Martin
Constance.

Waldseemuller
at
It

was

born

between

1470-1475, probably
is

Radolfszell on

Lake

established

by documentary

evidence that his father had lived in Freiburg

since 1480, at least, and that in
a citizen

1490 he became
7th of

of that

city.

On December
:

the same year, Martin was matriculated in the

University of Freiburg

" Martinus Waltzendicecesis,

muller de Freiburgo, Constantiensis

septima

decembris"

he studied theology, for later, in a memorial to Duke Rene of Lorraine, he

It is clear that calls
1

himself " clerc du

diocese de Cosfance."

He

He

zenmuller

himself spells his German name, Waldseemuller, not Waltand its Graecized form adopted according to the humanists ;

of the day, Ilacomilus, not Hylacomilus. 3 See P. Albert Uber die Herkunft

genannt Hylacomylus.

Martin Walzenmuller*'s, fur die Geschichte des Oberrheins, N. F., xv, Karlsruhe, 1900, p. 510 sqq.) 3 It was Alex. v. Humboldt who first drew atten(I.e., ii, 362)
(Zeitschrift

tion to this entry in the University of Freiburg, thereby proving that the author Hylacomilus, known from his earlier works, was identical See the lately published book : Die with this Waltzenmiiller.

H. Mayer,

Matrikel der Universitat Freiburg Freiburg, 1907.

i.

Br. 1460-1656, by Prof. Dr.

Introduction

was therefore
of Constance.
at St. Die,

clergyman

in his native diocese

Subsequently, he became
1

Canon

which

position he occupied until his

Probably Waldseemiiller, as far back as 1505, was engaged at Strasburg, jointly with Philesius Ringmann, in the study of
the geography and the maps of Ptolemy. It is likely that before i 507 he also spent some time in
Basel and collated in
its
8

death, about 1522.

libraries

manuscripts for

While there the proposed edition of Ptolemy. 3 he became a friend of the printer Amerbach.
In 1507

mann Ludd

both Waldseemiiller and Ringin the printing establishment of Walter

find

we

at St.

played his

There Waldseemiiller disHe was emmany-sided activity.

Die.

in his letter to the Duke ployed as a printer Rene, previously mentioned, he styles himself and together with other mem"imprimeur"

bers of the
a

Gymnasium Vosagense he prepared

new

he

edition of Ptolemy. At the same time, worked on various portions of the important
attention.
to

work now engaging our

We

shall

now

proceed

examine more

closely the several portions miiller publications of i 507.

of the Waldsee-

'See Gallois, Bulletin, I.e., 221 sqq. 'See Ringmann 's letter from Strasburg, dated August I, 1505, in his edition, relative to the third expedition of Amerigo Vespucci, De ora Antarctica, Argentines 1505. 'See Waldseemuller's letter to Amerbach, cited above, dated
April 5, 1507.

THE OUTLINES OF COSMOGRAPHY

Cosmographies Introductio

chapters of his Cosmographies Introductio, Waldseemuller treats the chief teach-

IN

THE nine

ings of cosmography traditional views.

essentially

according to

In the introduction he discusses the principal theorems of geometry as far as they are needed
for

understanding of geography; and he then proceeds minutely to define the globe, its
the
axes, zones, etc.,
its

its

winds, the seas and islands, and general divisions, the various distances on the surface of the globe.
circles,

climata,

its

Thrice in the text of the original (pp. 18, 25, and 30 of the facsimile edition), and on the
inside of the double sheet
universalis

whereon

is

the Figura

(facing p. 28 of facsimile edition),

Waldseemuller

makes mention
in

of

the

new

Amerigo Vespucci's which he calls the fourth continent Twice he quarta orbis pars. proposes to christen this newly found part of
>uatuor Navigationes, and

territories as described

supposed he of meant course, By America, the South American continent of to-day.

discoverer.
8

the globe

AMERICA

in

honor of

its

Outlines of Cosmography

original words of the referred to run thus

:

The
1
.

two passages above

(p.

25)

icus invenit,

(quam quia AmerAmerigen quasi Americi terram sive

"

Quarta

orbis pars

Americam nuncupare
2. (p.

/zcef)."

"
30)

Quarta pars per Americum Vesputium

(ut in sequentibus audietur} inventa esf,

video,

quam non

cur quis jure

vefet,

ab America inventore

sagacis ingenii vtro Amerigen quasi Americi terram

Americam dicendam, cum et Europa a mulieribus sua sortita sint nominal

sive

et

Asia

Waldseemiiller himself carried out this proposal in his publication of 1507, when he

maps belonging to the Cosmographite Introductio the word America as the name of the newly discovered continent. Both
belong to the work not only on the title-page of the book, but also in several passages of the in fact, text;

inscribed on both

maps

are

stated

to

Waldseemiiller declares outright that the outlines ,of geography, called " Cosmographia Introductio," was but an explanatory text for his large " Generate nostrum, pro cuius map of the world, intelligenta hcec scribimus"
is

See p. 23 of this facsimile edition. also used elsewhere as synonymous with

The "

Map

expression "generate" " and of the World

may be found
cited,

in the letter of Waldseemiiller to Amerbach, previously and in the poem of dedication by Ringmann to the Emperor Maximilian I. (See I.e., p. 2.)

II

STORY OF THE FOUR VOYAGES OF

AMERIGO VESPUCCI
>uatuor Americi Vespucii nai)igationes

ON THE

title-page
1

of the second section,

which contains the account of the four voyages of Amerigo Vespucci, the translator states that he had done it into Latin from the French,
"devulgari Gallico in Latinum."
dedication prefacing the actual account of the journey runs thus:

The

" Illustrissimo Renafo Iherusalem

et Sicilice regi,

duel Lothoringia ac Barnensi, Americus Vesputius humilem reverentiam et debitam recommendationem"

According to this, Amerigo Vespucci must evidently have sent the story of his travels,
written in French, to Rene, the titular

King of
en-

Jerusalem and Duke of Lorraine. Walter Ludd, too, declares in

his

work

titled, Speculi orbis declaratio, printed also in

I$OJ

by yoh. Grieninger at Strasburg, that the account

of the four voyages, written in French, had been sent from Portugal to Duke Rene. In the same
1

See p. 41 of our facsimile. I.e., p. 42.

10

Four Voyages of Vespucci

work Ludd
urged
"
its

also informs us that

it

was he

who
:

translation

into

Latin, and that he

its

had entrusted Joh. Basinus with

execution

Quarum
ad

gallia

etiam regionum descriptionem ex Portute, Illustrissime rex Renate, gallico sermone

y

missam Joannes Basinus Sendacurius insignis poeta a me exoratus qua pallet elegantia latine interpretavit"
1

seems very strange that an Italian like Amerigo Vespucci should have sent an account of his voyages from Portugal to the Duke of
it

Now

Lorraine and in the French language. It may be conceded that Duke Rene may have received
the account of
at the

Amerigo Vespucci from Portugal

same time when he received the Portu-

guese sea-charts, a question

later.

we

shall

consider

that Vespucci wrote his report in French, for we know that in his youth he sojourned in France for some time
It is possible, also, as secretary

of one of his

relatives,

who was

the
2

Florentine envoy at the court of Louis XL But it is inconceivable that Amerigo Ves-

pucci should have addressed his report to the Duke of Lorraine. With Duke Rene Vespucci
Concerning this work of the utmost rarity and interest see R. H. Major, Memoir on a mappemonde by Leonardo da Vinci Archaeologia Vol. XL. (London, 1865) p. 21 and 31; Harrisse, B.A.V. p.
1

99

seq.

D'Avezac, I.e., 6$ ; F. v. Wieser, Magalhass-Strasse, p. * Cf. on this point G. Uzielli, Toscanelli 1893, p. 13 23 et seq.; L. Gallois, I.e., Bulletin 1900, p. 72.

18.

et seq.,

II

Four Voyages of Vespucci

had no personal

relations.

the dedication to the

When, however, in Four Voyages, we read that

Vespucci reminds the addressee of the friendship

which had existed between "them" in the days "they" were students together at the house
1

of his uncle, G. Antonio Vespucci, in Florence, we can entertain no doubt that Vespucci did not
send his account to

Duke Rene.

Moreover,

we

that Vespucci was an intimate friend and fellow-student of his countryman, Pietro Soderini,

know

subsequently

Gonfaloniere,

of Florence.

The

passage quoted from the dedication as well as the address used, "Vuostra Magnificentia" in the Italian edition of the ^uatuor Navigais

tiones

These quite applicable to Soderini. passages as well as others referring to Soderini were inadvertently reproduced in the Latin
while
all

translation,

other phrases relating to

the recipient of the letter were so adapted as to fit Duke Rene of Lorraine.

seems more than probable that Vespucci wrote the account of his four voyages to
It

Soderini in Italian.

As

a matter of fact, there

1 Ubi recordabitur, quod olim mutuam habuerimus inter nos amiciciam tempore iuventutis nostree, cum grammatics rudimenta imbibentes

sub probata vita et doctrina venerabilis et religiosi fratris de S. Marco Fratris Georgii Anthonii Vesputii avunculi mei pariter militaremus.

(Seep. 43 of
2

facsimile.)

p.

See Bandini, Vita et Lettere di Amerigo Vespucci, Florence, 1 745, xxv ; Fr. Bartolozzi, Ricerche istorico-critiche circa a lie scoperte

di

Amerigo Vespucci, Florence, 1789,

p.

67.

12

Four Voyages of Vespucci

exists a very ancient printed edition

of the work
to the six1

which, while undated, must belong

teenth century,

judging from its typography. This original Italian edition was then translated into French and thence into Latin by Basinus
Sendacurius at
St.

Die.

Waldseemiiller in the

Cosmographies Introductio (p. 18) explicitly states: " Quatuor Navigations ex Italico sermone in Galli-

cum et ex Gallico in latinum versee." It must be left undecided whether the French version was actually translated in Portugal as intimated by Walter Ludd, or whether it was made in Paris, a city with which Duke Rene, of
course,

was in constant communication. whether the

It is

also doubtful

flattering substitution

name of Rene as the intended recipient of the report was made while it was being
of the
translated into
1

French or by Basinus Sendacurius.

literature

In regard to the different editions of the Vespucci letters and the dealing therewith, read besides the works cited above,

D'Avezac, Meaume, Gallois, and particularly Harrisse Bibliotbeca Americana Vetustissima, p. 55 et seq., and Additions p. xxii et seq., F. A. de Varnhagen, Amerigo Vespucci, son caractere, ses ecrits (memes
les

seq.

mains authentiquei), sa vie et ses navigations, lima 1865, p. 9 et and 27 et seq., and the introductions of the 2 facsimile-editions of

the

his

"Lettera" by B. Quaritch, London 1885 and 1893. The Latin text of Sendacurius was included by Simon Grynseus in well-known collection of voyages, Novus or bis (Basel 1532, Paris
2

In 1532, Basel 1537 and 1555; a German edition appeared 1534. more recent times M. F. Navarrete reprinted the entire Latin text in his Coleccion de los viages y descubrimientos, III, Madrid 1829,
p. 191 et seq.; F.

A. de Varnhagen, Amerigo Vespucci p. 34

Scoperta del
I.e.,

et seq.;

G. Berchet Fonte Italiane per la storea della mondo, Rome 1893, et sq. ; J. Boyd-Thacher,
report of the
first

nuovo

reproduces the

voyage.

13

Four Voyages of Vespucci

Quatuor Navigations contained the most complete and substantial account of the transatlantic discoveries

The

which had appeared up

to

Vespucci, during those four expeditions, became acquainted with extensive tracts

that time.

of the South American Continent, and, according to his

own

statement,

voyage he reached as second degree of latitude and there sighted an

inhospitable coast.

during the third far south as the fifty-

In a separate account, dealing with the third

voyage and published in numerous printed editions, he conceived the vast territories of the
southern hemisphere to be one united continent and called it the "New World" "mundus
novus."
It is therefore

not surprising that Waldsee-

miiller got the impression that

Amerigo Vespucci

was the discoverer of the new continent, and

conceived the idea of calling the in his honor.

new

continent

AMERICA

Ill

WALDSEEMULLER'S LARGE WORLD MAP OF 1507

Plate

THE map
Cosmographies
1

of the world which belongs to the

Introductio
is

called

Universalis

Cosmographies descriptio in piano on the title-page of the book. Until quite recently this map was

thought

to

be

lost.

From reduced

copies

cosmographer, Henricus Glareanus, which have but lately come to light, was possible, however, to obtain a fair it
1

made

by the Swiss

The two maps

belonging to the

frequently referred to in the text as

"

quam piano"
other terms.

also " Cosmographia tarn solida quam plana," or by See pp. 3, 4, 20, 37, etc., of our facsimile.

Cosmograpbice Introductio are Totius orbis typus tarn in solido

a Of the two reductions of this map by Glareanus the one was found by Fr. v. Wieser in a copy of the Cosmographies Introductio belonging to the University Library at Munich, the other by A. Elter in a copy of the Ulm- Ptolemy of 1482 belonging to the University In this latter work it is explicitly stated, " Secutus Library at Bonn. Geographum Deodatensem seu potius Vosagensem" See Fr. v. Wieser,

Magalhaes-Strasse und Austral- Continent ; Innsbruck, i88i,pp. 12, A. Elter, De Henrico Glareano geographo et antiquisstma forma " America " commentatio ; Festschrift der Banner Universitat, I 896, See also E. Oberhummer, Zwei handschriftlicbe p. 7 et seq. Karten des Glareanus in der Munchener-Universitatsbibliothek (Jahres-

26;

Miinchen 1892, p. 67 sq. ), Edw. Geography and Maps (in the Geographical C. F. Close, Glareanus Journal, London, 1905, p. 647 et seq.). (in the Royal Engineers Journal, 1905, p. 303).
bericht der Geogr.-Gesellschaft in

Heawood, Glareanus,

his

Waldseemuller

Large

Map

of

copy of an original print of the map, which had so long been vainly searched for, was ultimately discovered in 1900
its

notion of

appearance.

by Prof.
Castle

Jos. Fischer, in

S.J.,

in

the library of

Wurtemberg, belonging to the princely house of Waldburg. A facsimile edition of this map, which is of

Wolfegg

the utmost importance to the history of cartography and of the age of transmarine discovery, was published in 1903, together with an exhaustive

commentary by

Jos. Fischer
1

and Fr.

v.

Wieser in both German and English. Although Waldseemuller in the Cosmographies

of larger dimensions than the globe; and though Glareanus in the Munich edition of his copy still
Introductio

remarks that his

map

is

more

sharply

emphasizes
2

the

great

size

of

Waldseemuller's map, the newly found original print nevertheless caused a sensation on account
impressive size, abundant contents, and The map the artistic merit of its adornment.

of

its

consists
1

of twelve sections engraved on wood,

Karte mit dem Namen Amerika aus dem Jahre 1507 Carta Marina aus dew. Jahre 1516 des M. Waldseemuller The oldest map bearing the name America of the year ( Ilacomilus} and Marina of the year 1516 by M. Waldseemuller the Carta 1507 Edited with the assistance of the Imperial Academy of (Jlacomilus} Sciences at Vienna by Prof. Jos. Fisccher, S.J., and Prof. Fr. R. v.

Die

alteste

und

die

Wieser, Innsbruck,
for the

Sole agents Wagner's University Press, 1903. Empire and America, Henry Stevens, Son & Stiles, 39 Great Russell Street, London. 2 Etenim ipse auctor id in maxima spatio compinxit ita, ut in
British

codice hoc locum habere nequiret.

See E. Oberhummer,

I.e., p.

70.

16

Waldseemuller

Large

Map

of

arranged in three zones, each of which Each section measures contains four sections.

and
to

is

its

edge 45.5x62 cm.

(18x24^

in.).

The

covering thus a space of three square meters about 36 square feet represents the earth's form in a modified Ptolemaic coniform

map,

projection with curved meridians. On the lower edge, in capital letters, the title is thus inscribed
:

"UNIFERSALIS COSMOGRAPHIA

SE-

CUNDUM PTHOLOMMI
The name
where
it

TRADITIONEM ET AMERICI FESPUCII ALIORUMQUE LUSTRATIONES."

of the author of this work
is

no-

stated nor the date or place of

its

pub-

lication.

By

circumstantial evidence, however,

can be proved without the shadow of a doubt that at last we have Waldseemiiller's long-lost
large

map

of the earth, belonging to the Cosmo-

graphice

Introductio.

Among

these

proofs

are

the following:
1
.

Its

perfect agreement with the

two copies
in the out-

of Glareanus, both in projection and line of the several countries.

2.

The

conformity of the

map
:

to

all

the
the

statements

made regarding
title,

its

details

in

Cosmographies Introductio, such as

a.
b.

The The

Untversa/is Cosmographia. designation of the several countries

by
re-

means of the

coats of
17

arms of their

Waldseemuller
spective

Large

Map

of

exactly in accordance with the statements made on this point

rulers,

in the Cosmographies Introductio y the

perial

Im-

Eagle of the German Empire, the Papal Keys, the Crescent of the Sultan of Egypt, the Golden Cross with Branding Irons of the Sultan of Turkey, the Anchor of the Great Khan of Tartary,
the

Red Cross of Prester John, and the Royal Arms of Spain and Portugal in

c.

the newly discovered parts of the world. The use of small crosses to indicate all
places dangerous to navigation.

d.

The name The

fact

of "America," given to
that

the

newly discovered fourth continent.

e.

the

fourth

continent
1

is

depicted as an island. f. The agreement of several legends of the chart with those indicated in the Cosmographice Introduction The explicit reference to the

named and

3.

map made

by Waldseemuller himself in his Carta Marina of 1516, which has the same number and size
of sheets
1

3
:

Generalem igitur

totius

orbis

typum,

Hunc

prim<
simile.
3

terra iam quadripartita cognoscitur ; et sunt tres See p. 30 of the facpartes continentes, quarta est ins u la.
in

modum

Compare,
the

map
s

for instance, the text at the lower left-hand corner of with p. 45 of our facsimile print. See Fischer and v. Wieser, The Oldest Map with the Name p.
ii

America,

and Tabula 23.

18

Waldseemuller

Large

Map

of 1507

quern ante annos paucos absolutum non sine grandi labore ex Ptolomei traditione, auctore profecto prte

nimia

"oetustate *uix nostris

et

temporibus cognito, in

lucem edideramus
curavimus.
.
. .

exemplaria exprimi Additis non paucis, qua per mar.

in

mille

cum bum

cii)em
et

venetum

et

Cristoforum

Colum-

Americum Vesputium

capitaneos Portugal-

lenses lustrata fuere.

The antithesis of the Ptolemaic tradition and the new discoveries of the Spaniards and Portuguese is pictorially expressed on the Waldseemuller map of 1 507 by the busts of Ptolemy

and Amerigo Vespucci. The principal basis of Waldseemuller's large mappemonde were no doubt the maps of
Claudius Ptolemy, which Waldseemuller knew from the Ptolemy edition published at Ulm in The Tabula moderns of the same edi1486.
tion gave him additional aid in the representation of Italy, Spain, France, and the territories

In designing Germany, he made good use of Ezlaub's map for travelers, pubAnother source lished a short time previously.

of the North.

of information were the travels of Marco Polo, which he utilized for his designs of northern

and eastern Asia

1

as

well as of the southern and

land aus

See A. Wolkenhauer, Uber die altesten Reisekarten von Deutschu. dem Anfang des 16. Jahrhunderts ''tern Ende des if.
fasc.

vol. xxvi, (Deutsche Geographische Blatter,

&

4,

Bremen,

1903).

19

Waldseemuller s Large
eastern islands of Asia.

Map

of 1507

In making his drawing of these territories, Waldseemiiller also made

use of a

map on which

all

countries described

by Marco Polo were represented just as on a map of the world by Martellus Germanus, or As for the on the Globe of Martin Behaim.
1

representation of the interior of Africa, there was at Waldseemiiller's disposal an interesting

Special

Map

of Abyssinia, whose specifications,

however, he wrongly localized by making the Blue Nile appear to discharge its waters into
the White Nile from the the territory about
left,

and by shifting

Lake Tana (Sahaf lacus}

to

South Africa.

For
by
the

his designs

of the lands just discovered Spaniards and Portuguese, Waldseehis

miiller,

according to

own

statement, fol-

lowed certain
sumus.
3

sea-charts, cartas marinas sequuti

can prove positively that Waldseemiiller made use of two Portuguese sea-charts
in preparing his large

We

map

of the world.

One

of them must have been of the same type as the " Hamy map, formerly known as the King map."^
See Fischer and v. Wieser, The Oldest Map with the Name America, p. 25 et seq. 2 See "Map of the World by Jodocus Hondius 2611," ed. by E. L. Stevenson, Ph.D., and Jos. Fischer, S.J., New York, 1907, Prof. Fischer will soon publish this map of Abyssinia, of p. 15. which he has found three variants. 3 See p. 37 of the facsimile. 4 The Hamy map was first published by E. T. Hamy in the Bulletin de g'eographie historique, 1886, and subsequently in his work.
1

2O

Waldseemuller

Large

Map

of 150 J

Waldseemiiller's principal cartographic source of information, however, regarding the newly

we have shown in our earlier work, the Canerio map? From Canerio
discovered territories was, as
1

Waldseemuller borrowed both the outlines and

the legends for the representation of the coasts of the New World and South Africa.

The agreement

of the two charts

is

so

marked

and extends to so many minor in precisely the same places

details
as,

of drawing
;

for instance,

the placing of the Padraos, of the elephant n South Africa, of the armorial bearings, etc., in
precisely the

same
as

positions

that

it

could not

have been a

map of the

Canerio type which served

the chief reference for his great work, but must have been Canerio's map itself,

Waldseemuller

now

preserved in the Naval Archives of Paris. Waldseemuller s great map of the world produced

a profound and lasting impression on cartography; it was a map of wholly new type and represented the earth with a grandeur never before attempted.

Ere many years had elapsed, many reduced copies of the work appeared; for instance, in

1510 the above-mentioned manuscript reproduce/a^.;

1

hist, et

geogr., Paris, 1896.

See also Nordenskiold, Periplus,

plate xlv.

Fischer and v. Wieser, The Oldest

Map,

p.

27

et seq.

L. Gallois, Le Portulan de Nocolas de Canerio, in the Bulletin de la Societe de geogr, de Lyon, 1890; G. Marcel, Reproductions de cartes et de globes, Paris, 1 893 ; Harrisse, Discovery of North America,
pi. xiv.

21

Waldseemuller
tions of
in the

Large

Map
;

of

Vienna Solinus edition

Henricus Glareanus; another in 1520 and still another

1522 Pomponius Mela; were these the work of Petrus Apianus.

in

in the Basel edition of

Even the small hemispherical maps next to the busts of Ptolemy and Amerigo Vespucci on
the upper edge of the large map were repeatedly reproduced in the original size, as, for instance,

by Joh. Stobnicza in

his Introductio in Ptholomei

Cosmographiam, printed in Krakow in 1512, and in manuscript form by Glareanus and Sebastian
Minister.

Waldseemuller 's

map

of 1507 was

still

more

widely spread by numerous adaptations, such as those of Joh. Schoner, Peter Apian, Joachim
Vadian,
In the
Sebastian
Miinster,

Gemma

Frisius,

Kaspar Vopelius, and Abraham Ortelius.

little

mappemonde,

Unruersalis Cosmo-

graphia, attached to the numerous editions of the Rudimenta Cosmographica by the Transylvanian

humanist, Joh. Honterus, and which passed thence into other works, Waldseemuller's World Map continued to exist nearly unchanged for
almost a century.
1

Matthias Scharjfenbergius excud. Appearing first in Krakow 1530. " For more detailed indications about the propagation and influence of Waldseemuller's drawing of the world, see Fischer and v. Wieser,
:

I.e., p.

36

et seq.

22

IV

WALDSEEMULLER'S GLOBE OF
Plate

1507

II

THE

reference

made

in the title of the Cosmo-

" Universalis graphics Introductio to a cosmographia solido quam piano" has been varitarn in descriptio
ously interpreted by scholars studying WaldseeOn the one hand the view was muller's works.

taken that the expression referred to two maps, one of which, in solido, represented a small chart

form of a planisphere while on the other hand it was contended that the words "tarn in
in the
;'

solido

quam piano" signified but one complete map, on which small hemispherical supplementary maps had been inscribed in addition to the large This latter contention was apparently chart.*
by the rediscovery of Waldseemuller's
for here are actually

justified

map of 1507;

two small

supplementary maps above the large one, representing, respectively, the Eastern and Western

Hemisphere.
it
is
1

On

closer examination, however,

clear that these

Leitfaden durch
pp. 21, 23.

two hemispherical
das

charts

Breusing,
3

Wiegenalter der Kartographie,

Frankfurt, 1883, p. 31.

Elter,
I.e.,

23

aldseemuller s Globe

of 1507

can not be identified with the Untversa/ts Cosmographite descriptio in so lido. It is expressly stated in the Cosmographies Introductio that the globe and the large map of

the world differ in their indications of the degrees of latitude; for while on the globe the

equator is marked in accordance with information derived from sea-charts and from accounts of
the voyages of Vespucci, on the map it is drawn When, according to the system of Ptolemy. we the however, compare hemispherical charts
1

with the main map, no difference can be perceived in their location of the equator relative
to the countries of the world, a fact particularly noticeable on the western coast of Africa.

There

exists,

however, in the Hauslab-Liech-

tenstein Collection at Vienna, a printed representation of the terrestrial globe in strips, the

only one hitherto found, which agrees with the statements published in the Cosmographies Introductio.

globe apten about closer to the degrees proaches equator than on the large map of the world or on the
1
.

The

coast of

Guinea on

this

in depingendis tabulis typi genera/is non omnimodo Ptholomceum prasertim circa novas terras, ubi in cards marinis aliter animadvertimus eequatorem constitui quam Ptholomeeus Et ita quidem temperavimus rem ut in piano circa novas fecerit.
.
.

nos

sequutos esse

terras et alia qutepiam Ptholom<eum, in solido vero, quod piano additur,

descriptionem Americi subsequentem sectati fuerimus.

Seep. 37

et

seq.

of facsimile.
8

Plate II gives these globe-strips

on a

scale

of 2:3 of the

original.

24

Waldseemiiller s Globe of

In small charts representing the hemispheres. Central America the Tropic of Cancer appears
to the south of Hayti,

while on the large

is

map

of the world

its

course

laid directly
it

through
is

the island of Isabella, or Cuba, as

called.

now
the

In

the

representation

of America

on

Hauslab-Liechtenstein globe the degrees of latitude correspond exactly with those found on

contemporary Spanish and Portuguese maps such as those of Juan de la Cosa, of Bartholomeo

Colombo, of the

Hamy

map, of the Cantino,

and of the Canerio maps. While the degrees of latitude of Africa do not
exactly follow those of the Portuguese maps, Waldseemiiller still being greatly influenced in
these

by Ptolemy, the Hauslab-Liechtenstein

details

globe-strips correspond in every other particular

with the

of the large map of 1507. Attached to an edition of the Cosmographia

Introductio published in

Lyons there

is

a small

representing the globe, which corresponds with the Hauslab-Liechtenstein copy not only in the drawing and the disposition of
printed
chart

the various territories, but also in the degrees of

latitude above mentioned.

From
in

all

these facts

we may

safely infer that

the Hauslab-Liechtenstein

globe-strips

we

possess the long-sought-for

Waldseemuller globe

25

Waldseemullers Globe

0/1507
1

It is the merit of F. A. de 507. Varnhagen and L. Gallois to have been the first to establish
i

of

this identity.

In 1509 there appeared in Strasburg a new edition of the Cosmographies Introductio put forth by John Grieninger, an extremely active printer

and publisher, on which WaldseemullerV (Ilacomilus)

name

appears

as

that

of the author.

Grieninger,
literature, at

given to popularizing the same time published a German

who was

translation of the Quatuor Navigationes, of which two editions appeared in close succession, one

about Mid-Lent, the other

at

Lastare.

As

supplement to this German translation, giving an account of the four voyages of Amerigo Vespucci, a small booklet was published by Grienentitled Der welt kugel Beschrybung inger,
(Description of the G/o6e).*
1

F.

A. de Varnhagen, Jo. Schdner

Influencia de

um
et

o outro e de varios de seus

1872,

p.

47

seq.

P. Apianus (Bienewitz) : Vienna, contemporaneos. L. Gallois, Les G'eographes allemands de la

o

Renaissance, Paris, 1890, p. 48 et seq., and Bulletin, I.e., p. 78 et seq. * Pressit apud Argentoracos hoc Cosmographiee Introductio

super sesquimillesimum nono.

Anno post natum salvatorem opus Ingeniosus vir Joannes Gruniger. Harrisse, B. A, V., p. 116.
3 Disz biichlin saget wie die zwen durchluchtigsten herren herr Fernandas K. zu Castilien und herr Emanuel K. zii Portugal haben das weyte mor ersuchet unnd funden vil Insulen unnd ein Niiwe welt Gedruckt zu Strassvon wilden nackenden Leiiten, vormals unbekant. Im iar uff mitfast. burg durch Johannen Gruninger. Wie du aber dye Kugel und beschreibung der gantzenn welt virston so lit, wurst du hernach finden unnd lesen. Harrisse, Add., p. 43 ; B. A. V. p. 1 1 8, the same title can be found, only it is not uff mitfast but uff Letare. 4 Der welt kugel Beschrybung : der Welt und dess gantzen Ert-

MCCCCIX

26

Waldseemiiller s Globe of

A
gust,

few months

later,

toward the end of Au-

1509, another publication by Grieninger

appeared, entitled Globus mundi declaratio, which is a Latin translation of Der welt kugel Eeschry-

In both these descriptions of the globe, bung. reference is made not only to a small sphere

" belonging to the work but also to unser grosse Mappa." Considering all that has been said

we

cannot

resist

the conjecture that by this small

" globe and this large

seemuller's

Mappa"

are

meant Wald-

two charts and that they are new impressions from the original woodcuts of
1507.'

As regards the

large

map

of the world

this
is

may be

unhesitatingly

admitted, for there

later edition
;

nothing whatever

known of a

and

treichs hie angezogt und vergleicht einer rotunden kuglen, die dan sunderlich gemacht hie zu gehbrende, darin der Kaufman und ein ietlicher sehen und mercken mag, wie die menschen unden gegen uns

tuonen
dingen.

und wie

die son

Getruckt

zu

umbgang, herin beschriben mit vil seltzamen Von Johanne Gruniger im yar Strassburg.

M.D. IX
p.

off" os tern.

Johanne Adelpho
also sei

castigatore.

Harrisse,

Add.,
ist

43
1

et seq.

Wie weit aber

von einem art zu dem andern, daz

ze wussen, Mustu unser grosse Mappa anschauwen. " Der welt Kugel Beschrybung," Cap. xii. In the Latin edition, Globus mundi declaratio, this paragraph reads as follows Quantum vero locus unus a reliquo distat, difficile cognitu
:

mysslich in dieser kleinen Kuglen ze wiissen der grad halb so alhie nit mogen beschriben noch bezeichnet werdenn, sonder so du das begerest

parvo globo propter gradus qui assignari omnes non possunt in Si vero idipsum scire volueris mappam majorem considerabis coseo. mographia plana, in quacertius ac verius apprehendes secundum longum et latum extensos. s This opinion was already (1900) set forth by L. Gallois,
est in hoc

Bulletin, I.e., p.

78

et seq.

27

Waldseemuller

Globe of 1507

on account of the great size of the map and the quantity of wood-blocks needed it is also quite
improbable that such an edition was published. There are, however, a great many indications
that in
i

509 Grieninger published

new

edition

of the small globe in

this

German

in order to render
dis-

important aid to the study of recent

1

coveries accessible to the general public.

The

representation of the globe on the title-page of both the German and Latin editions seems to

point to

this.

This vignette represents a hemi-

sphere on which the various countries are distributed in exactly the same manner as on the
large globe of

507, but with a German text. The small slice of the newly discovered Western Continent does not bear the inscription " AmerI

ica," but that

of "niiw welt."
it

however, be inferred that the German globe did not also contain the
this

From

must

not,

word "America,"
tion

as in

the

German

of the globe both

expressions

descripare used

indifferently to designate the countries discov-

ered by Vespucci.

To

be

sure,

Waldseemuller did not use the

in
his
later

word "America"

cartographical

works, e.g., the large

1

map
the

of the world and the

globe-strips

Formerly

authors

regarded

of

the

Hauslab-

Liechtenstein Collection as belonging to the descriptions of the globe by Grieninger, as for example, D'Avezac, Bull. Soc. ge"ogr., Paris,

1872,

p.

16.

28

aldseemuiler s Globe of

150 J

Tabula terra novee of the Ptolemy edition published in Strasburg, 1513, the map of the world

of the Margarita philosophica of 1515, and the large Carta Marina of

in the Strasburg edition

1516. Waldseemiiller

subsequently

became

con-

vinced that Amerigo Vespucci should not be regarded as the true discoverer of the New

World

he believed in 1507. His attempt, however, to withdraw the word "America," a name he himself invented and used, proved a
as

failure; for his works, published in 1507,

had

been rapidly spread far and wide in numberless and versions. As early as 1508 prints, copies, Waldseemiiller wrote with just pride to his
friend and co-worker, Philesius
his

Ringmann, and of 1507 were world-map globe

1

that
dis-

seminated and

known and highly commended

In accordance throughout the whole world. with the proposal made by Waldseemiiller in

1507,
being,

the

name America
to

was,

for

the time

restricted

New

World.

the southern part of the After the lapse of three decades,

however, another German cartographer applied the name America to the northern portion of
the Western Hemisphere. " Cosmographiam universalem tarn
1

On
solidam

Gerhard Merquam planam non

sine

These words are found in gloria et laude per orbem disseminatam." Waidseemiiller's treatise, " Archite cturce et Perspe ctivtx Rudimenta"
published,
I

508,

in the Strasburg edition

of the Margarita philosophies.

29

W
cator's

aldseemuller s Globe

of 1507

of the world, published in 1538' and drawn in the double heart-shaped projection

map

of Stabius, the northern part of the

New

World,

"America pars
its

septentrionalis"

is

southern part, " Ame ricce pars meridionalis Mercator, the great reformer of cartography,
the

contrasted with "

who knew
tinent,
ical

New World
first

as

double con-

was the

to introduce into

geograph-

literature the

names North America and

South America.

This map of Mercator, only one copy of which exists (in the of the American Geographical Society), is reproduced, e.g., in the Facsimile-Atlas of Nordenskiold, plate xliii.
library

COSMOGRAPHIAE INTUODV, CTIO/CVMQVIBVS

DAM GEOME
TRIAE

MIAE PR1NCJPHS AD BAM RJEM NECESSARU&

Infuperquatuor Amend
ipuci] nauigationes*

AC ASTRONO

Ve*

Vniucrfalis 'Co fmographi dcfcrip tfo tarn in folido qp piano /cis etiam
infertis

quePtholom^o

.ignotaanuperis
reperta Cunt*

DISTICHOR
Cum cleus aftra rcgat/&: terra cfimata Csefar
Nee tellus nee eis fydera maius habenu

Eft

D X.

MAXIMILIANO CAESARI AVGVSTO PH1LES1VS VOGES1GENA.

/

Cum ttia fit vaftum Maieftas facra per orbem

Csefarin extremis Maxmilianeplagis Qua fol Eois rutilurn caput extulit vndis/

Atq? freta Herculeo nomine nota petit:

Quaq? dies medius flagrant! fydere feruet/

Congelat &T Septem terga marina Trio: Aciubeas regu magnorum maxime pnnceps
Mitia ad arbitrium iura fubire tuum

Hinc tibi deuota generale hoc mente dicauit

Qui mira pra^fens arte parauit opus*

DIVO MAXIMIUANOCAESARI AV <JVSTO MARTI NVS ILACO M1LVS FOELIC1TA TEMOPTAT,

Si multas adrjfie regfones/Sf populoru vltimos? vidiffe/no folu voluptariu fed etiam in vita coduci

Platone/ Apollo nioThyanazo mulds philofophis/qui indagandaru rere atcp alqs

bile eft (quod in

caufaremotiflimas oras petiucrur /clarum euadit) quis oro inuicflifllme Caefar Maximiliane / regio

nu atq? vrbium fitus

8t externorum

hominum

Quos vide t condens radios fub vndas Phcebus extremo veniens ab ortu : Quos premunt Septem gelidiTriones : Quos Nothus ficco violentus ^ftu
Torret ardentes recoquens harenas* Q^uis inqua illoruomniuntus ae mores ex libris cognofcere iu

cundu ac vffle effe inficias ibit^Sane ( vt dica quod

tneafert opinio)Gaitlonpiffime pereprinari lauda * W^ bile eft/ ita de quis cui ipfe terraru orbis vel ex Tola
A-

vj?

diartaru traditione cognitus eft/no abfurde repeti identide poteft illudOdiflecccaputquod do(flifR

Home
rus

mus poetaru Homerus de VliiTe fcripfit*

Die mihi mufa viru capta? poft tempora Troisc vrbes* Q.ui mores hominu multorum vidit Hinc facftu eft vt me libros Ptholomgi adexeplar

&

Grfcu quoranda ope p virili recognofcete/& qua

tuorAmericiVefjpucr) nauigationu luftrajioes .adf) ; totius orbis typu ta in folido qj planoc veluc

/|

in

ANTELOQVIVM
prftnam quanda yfagogen ) c comuni ftudiofoni Vtilitate parauerim* Q_ue tu tacratiflimg maieftati cu terraru dns exiftas dicare ftatui Ratus me votf copote/&T ab armuloru machinamentis tuo (tancp Achillisklipeo tutifTimu forc/fi tu^ Maicftatis acu
riffimo in eis rebus iudfcio ali'qua faltem ex partc me fatis fcecifTe intellexero Vale CcefarinclyridL

Ex oppido diui Deodati. Anno poft natu Saluato

rein nipra fefquimillefimu feptimo;

pr^uia quadam Cofmographisc aftronomif cognitione/et ipa etia aftronomia fine Geometrise pridpr)s plgne haberi neqat : dicemus prinio inhac fuccicfla Itrodu<flioe pauculade Geo metrig incho amends ad fpher materialis intelligt

ORDO. ^TRACTANDORVM Cu noticia fine

DeTde Cjd (phera/axis/poli &c

(tia feruientibus*

De cceli circulis*
Q.uanda ipfius fpher fecundu graduu rones The
(oricappnemus Dequinc^Zoniscgleftibus &: codi ad terram earundecp appUcationc graduu
DeParaleDis.

De ciimatibus orbi's, De ventis cu eoi et aliaR2 reru figura vniuerfafi Nono capite qu^3a de diuifione terr^ / de finibu$
(ttiatis/de infulis/et

locoi^ abinuice diftatia ditent

Addef etia quadrans Cofmographo vtilfs*

Vltioloco qtuor Americi Vefpucrj fubitrgf.^p^ fcdioesEt Cofm, ta folida cp plana defcrihemus^

IV

DE PRINCIPHSGEOMETRIAEAD
SPHERAE NOTICIAM NE*
CESSARIIS

CAP VT PRIMVM
VIA IN SEQVENTIB VS
circuli/circumferenti^/centri/dia^ metri/et id aliorum crebra

genus
:

primum nobis talibus breuiffime de fmgillatim

fiet

mentio

ideo

tra&andum venit
Eftigitur Circulus /figura planavna qufdcm eircumdufta linca contentatin cuius medio pun*
<H:us eft/ a

quo omnes

reciJas

h'ncaead circudantem

lineam eduftse. adinuicem funt ^quales.

Figura plana/eft cuius media no fubfultat/ne<^

ab extremis egreditur.

qua omnes re<fta? line^ a centre circuit" eiedise inter fe fuc

acquales/quaecxT ambitus/5^ circuit us /curuaturacg

Circu fere nti'a /eft linea circulu contmens ad

ac circulus alatinis/gr^ce autem peripheria dicitur*

Centra circuli/eft punchis illea quo omes recflg ad linea circulu continente educflse adinuicem func
Dimidius drculus/eft figura plan a diametro
Culi &r
>

cir

medietate circiiferentiae contenta*

Diameter circuli/ eft qu|cuq? linea reda per cen A- irj

GEOMETRJAE
tru'circuli tranficns

vtrinqj

ad

circuli

pcriphcriain

eiecla .

Linea recfla/eft a pundo ad pundu extenfio brc

uiflima.

Angulus/eft duarulineaiv mutuus cotacftus-Efl emfiguraeparticulaalineg contaftuin amplitude

nemlurgens* o

Angulus recTrus/eftanguIus ex h'nca fnpra linca cadence/& vtrin^p altrinlccus duos adinuicc f qua les angulos faciente caufatusrquc (1 re(fi:f linc con
tinent rcc^ilineusifi curue/curu u~ fpheralifcp dicet: Obtufus c cj c rc<flo maior. Acutus rcclo in in on

Solidu/cn: corpus longitudine/ latitudine/altitui dineq; dimenfum.

Alritudo/crallidcs/profunditas idem*

Integrumeftrcs tota/autreipars qu^ fexagenana

non prouenit^ inteon fexapefima Mmutum/eft pars* O * _ O

partitione

Secundum/fexagefima pars mtnuti*

Tertiii fexagefima fccundi/&: ita deiuceps

CAPVT SECVNDVM

Q.V1D SPHERA^

axis /poli &fc.il:ricli(rime perdocet.

Antcacp ah'quis Cofmographiarnotida habcre poiTit/necefTum eft vt fpherse materialis cogniho* nem habeat.Poftquod vniuerfi orbis dcfcriptione prime a Ptholomfo atcp alrjs traditam/&T deindc vero ab Americo Ve* ampliflcata/'nuper

VI

INCHOAMENTA
fputio latius
nit) e folida
flluftrata facilius
inteiriget.Igit*
defi?

Sphera(vt ea Theodofius inlibro de fpheris

& corporea figura vnaquide couexa Tnec) *

dofius; fuperficiecotenta/ incuius medio puclus e/ a quo omnes redse ad drcuferentia educflf adinuice funt

^quales.Et c5(vt ncotericis placet)decem fint (phe fa? ccekftes fit materials (phera ad inftar o<flaue(cj

quod flellifera fit aplanes

cialircr

dicitur)exci'rculis artifici

adinuicem iunclis per virgulam &T axe me diuiji centrumcqu^ terra eft )tangctem copofita. Axis fpherse/eft linea per centru fpher*e trafiens ex vtracp pane fuas extremitates ad fphera? circus
ferentia applicas:circa

quam fphera /ficut rota cir^

teres eft)

ca

axem carri( qui flipes

intorcjtur

&T co

uertitur/eftq? ipfius circuli diametrus liusita loquitur.

De qMani

M,
ifts*

Aera per gelidum tcnuis deducitur axis Bydereus medium circa quem voluiturorbis
Poli ( qui

& cardines &: vertices dicuntur

funt

puncl:a coeli axem terminantia/ita fi'xa utnucp ueantur fed perpetuo code loco maneant* Et qug

mo

hicde axe ac polis dicuntur ad ocflaua fpheram re fereda funt Q^uoniam in prcfendarum materiah's fpherae determiatione/q (ut diximus) o<?lau (phc ix fimilitudinem habct/iufcfpimus.Sunt itaq? eo# ruduoprincipales/vnus Septemtrionaliscqui 8C s &Borcalis apcllatur/alcer Auftralis/quc

iirj

VII

SPHER.AE MATE,;
Antarctica vacant /de hijs Vergilius ait* j-jj c vertcx nobis fcmper fublimis /at ilium

Sub pedibus ftix atra videt manefcp profundi.

Nos em in Europa &

cu jjpetuo videmus:g ro maioreVrfa q 8f Califco cV Elice nomlat &C Sc ptetrionalis a fepte ftellis plaufto7q Triones voci tanc >C fut minoris Vrfse/ quam etiam Cynofura
:
:i

Afia degctcs polu Arctic fie dicif ab Arcto vel Ar(flu

adpellant.VndeMantuanusBaptifta. Carme, -j^ no ^ s gjj ce no |3i s Cynofura /per altum Te duce vela damus.&c. Item Borcalis 8{ Aquilo nicus ab eius mudi parte vcnto.Nautae ftellam ma
ris

vocare afueuerunr/Huicoppofitus

eft antarcTj

cus/vn
cus
4effe

& nome

fortit.

Nam ami greca di^io lati>

cV Nothicus &T Auftronothi necotrafionificat.Is o

elicit:

dcuexus

^ nobis propter tcrrae circulu qui eft atCp a videri non poteft/fed ab antipodibus( qs

copertu e)cernit, Vbi

& obiter anotadu/quod

Dcuexu/rei fphericf tu more &T ventre fignificau Couexuy^o eius corrariu eft/et cocauitare nout
poli ipfius zodiaci /duos in ccclo circulos arclicu.f.cxT antarcflicu defcribentes^
alrj

Sunt prcterea duo

Veru quia zodiaci &

arclici atcp antar<flici

qui in

coelo fut circuli)mentione fcccimus:ideo capite fe quenti de circuits tracflabimus.

DE aRCVLISCOELICAP.TERTIVM.
Dupliccs
fvit circuli

q & fegmia ab audio ribus

VIII

RVD1MFNTA
Hicunt in fpera &" ccelo

no reuera quidem exiftetl*

fupficie fphe diuidit/ horu furit

qua Zodiacus/Colurus a?quino<flio# ru/CohirusfolfticioR2/Meridianus /& Horizon; Circulus minor in fphcra e qui in cade fphet fu minimein duo ^qua di perficie defcriptus fpheram
fex. Aequator.f.

eft/qui t defcriptus ipfam in duo

res fedirnaginabiles:rnaiores.f.& minores* in couexa .Maior circulus is

uidicTales funt quatuor. Arclicus/ Cancri/ Capri corni/& Antarclicus. Ita fummatimfunt dccc de

quibus debita ferie etprimo quidem de maionbus dicemus^

Aequatorcqui &T primi mobilis dngulus/et f qut noclialis dicit ) eft circulus maior fphcram in duo a?qualia diuidens/fccundum quamlibet fui partem ab vtrocj polo f que diftans. Sic dictus quonia fo > !e ipfum tranfeunte( quod bis in anno in principio arietis.f.mcfe Marrio/5c prlcipio libr^ mcnfefcp<* tcmbri contingit) toto tcrraru orbc acquinocflium &T dies nocli squall's eft.
Aequinocliu Marcrj
/ariefis/vernale;

AequinocfbiumScptcmbris/librx/authurnnarr; Zodiacus/eft circulus maior arquatorem in duo

bus punclis(qu funt principia arictis &: libra?)diri mcns/cuius vna medictatu ad feptcmtrione/altera vero ad Auftrum declinat.Ita di(ftus vel a zodion quod aiiinial fignificac/qm duodecim animalia in

IX

SPHERAE
fe habet/vel a

MATE

zoe quod eft vita:qufa omniu inferi oru vitafecundu planetaru motus fub ipfa efTe dig

no ^*LatiniufignifcriJvocant/qj.xr|.fignain fe ferat. Atc obliquu circulu.Hinc & Maro writ Ob

liquus qua fe fignoru verteret ordo. In media zodiaci latitudine circularis linea ipfum
in

duo gqua parties

et vitro

relinqns itelligitrqua folis aut lun^c deli quid &C eclipfis connngat/niff eorum vtercp fub ea lincain eodem vel oppofitis

citrocp fex latitu. gra Ecliptica vocat/eo quod nil*

gradibus decurrat.In eodem fi folare futuru fit deli quiumJn oppofitis vero fi ipfius luna?. Et fol femi per fub ea linea mcdius incedit/neCp vitro deuiat. Luna aut &: caeteri planetarum nunc fub ca/ nunc

dtra vel vltra e^paciati vagantur.

Duo funt in fphera

nodHa
diftinguut.Ita

coluri/qui folfticia&T cqtuV

aColongrsecequod mem^

brum fignificat/&C vris bobusc quos

magnitucltue Csefar c6mentarioR2 Iib.iirj.in Hercinia Elephantu

filuaefTeaiOdidH/qtTificutcauda bouis membru/ erecfla femicirculu dt non cornpl^tii facit/ita nobis

colurus femper imperfedus apparet. Vna 9
^

em me*

dietas|videtur/cum

alia fit occultata*

Colurus
circulus

folfb'cioru

qui

8^"

declinationu dicitur

maior per principia cancri 3c capricor#

os ecliptic^ parif Sfjpolos mimdi trafiens; equinodiorum colurus itideni circulus maior

RVDIMENTA
cff perprincipiaarietis ac librae/8^ mudi polos tra
(lens*

Meridianus eft circulus maior per pundu verri gis polos mundi tranfiens* Tales in generalibus

&

ftoftris tarn folidoqj piano

decem grad&us abin*

nice diftinximus.

Eft aut pudu vertidscquod

&

zenith dicif )in ccelo pucfhis dire&erdfugpofitus, Horizon(quem finitore quoCp dicunt) eft fphe*

maior fuperius hemifpherium (id eft di midiu fphera?)ab inferiori diuidens,Eftcp is in quc fub diuo ct>nfiftentiu /circuducentiumCp oculos vi det obtunis deficeretqui et pattern cccli vifam a no
rse o'rculus

vifa dirimere cernitur.Diuerfaru aut regionu vanV

us eft horizon :
finitore
(ritcuh's
t(

8>C

tex/ polus dicit,

Nam tale punftu omniqua^p

omniu horizontiu capias ver*

afc

ipfo horizonte gque diftat*

Et hare dc

maioribfcs/nunc adminores veniamus* Circulus ardHcus e circulus minor que polus zo*

diaci

ad motupriniimobilis circa polu mundi ar#

dicum defcribit*
Antarclicus / eft circulus minor que alter polus zodiaci area polu mundi antarcfh'cu caufat etc
atcp

fcribit,Nucupamus aut polu zodiack de

quo etia

fuperiori capite dixirmis )puncfKi vndecucp ab edi ptica ^que diftante. Sut em poli zodiad axis eclip^
ticf extreitates
.

Et cjta e maxia folis dedinatio(de

gmpx plura)tataepoiizodt a polomudidiftatia

XI

Tropiors Cancri eft/circulus mitib'r quern fblm cancri exiftes ad motu primi mobilis de* prina'pfo
fcnbit/qui

& folfticium eftiuu dicitur*

Tropicus capricorni/eft drculus minor que fof inidu capricorni tenens ad motu primi mobilis de#
fcribic.Hunc etiam circulu

brumg dicimus,.

C^tcrum quia declinationis mentionc fccdmus

idco annotanduv
Declinatione e(Te quando fol de
qufnocftiali acl

Tropicu cancri fcandit/vel ad capricorni tropiaiS anobis defcendit*

Afcenfionepro cotrario accipimus/qn.f atro^ Licet acyros $ impro* pitis ^quatori prupinquat
pric a quibufda dicatur afcendere quando nobis ^p defcendere cu a nobis difcedit Hade<d

pinquat/& nus de circulis/iam ad fpher^e Theoricam et latiorc

quanda graduu quibus tales abinuicem diftent fpc

oilationem accedamus,

CAPVT Q.VARTVM
Oe quadam fpher
graduu ratio nes,
Sphcracgleftis quincg ligatur circulis principal tiQiibus vno maiore quatuor minoribus/Arc'hV coXcancri/^quatore/ capricorni / et antarclico

Theorica fecundS

&

minores.Hos g^bus ^quator eft maior/alrj quatuor

authores Virgfli ipfos velpotius qu^interfuntfpacia vocaic afucuerunttHinc &C Vcrgilius in Gcor

Zo

iM

XII

(RVDIMENTA
gicis
aitv

Quiitcp tenctir coelu zonae:quant \ffia e&rufeo torrida Temper ab Semper folcrubens/ igni eft Q_uam circa extreme dextra Iscuaq? trahuntur Cerulea glacie concrete atcp himbribus atris/

&

Has inter mediamc^ dusc mortalibus segris

(Muiiete concefT? diuu:& via fecla per ambas

Obliquus qua fe fignoru verteret ordo^

De quaru qualitate in fequentibus plura dicenf

Quia ^o fuperius tetigimus q> polus Zodiaci [cic
CulCi arclicii

deFcnbatrideo pro vlteriori fpcculatio nefciendu hocdcdiperiori Zodiaci polo( qui fitus c/atc^ a polo ar tftf.gradu cxT.p.min.elcuatiois
tclico.z<j.gradibus ac.5i,mi.di(l:at5itelligi oportere; Gradum tricefima Vbi &: illud non

ignorandu c(Te Et Signu duodecimam partem figni

.

circull*

At Quare

duodccies mitiplicata^^o.reddut. triginta

liquidii

euadit

quod gradus item

tricente

fima et fexagefima ciiculi pars effe dcfiniri poffet* Circuium aut. AntarcTiicum polus Zodiaci infc dor defcribitrqui in eodc gradu dcclinationis fitus
eft ct

que a polo antarctico ab arclico,.

diftatficut fuperior

Tropicu cancnVeclipticse reflexfo/ fiue maxima folis )^fus feptemtrione declijiatio( qu ab

d:ialiad.3^:grad;8c'.p.min.fitaeft)defignat,

Tropicii capricorni alia Eclyptica^reflexio

XIII

SPHBRAE MATE
ttiaxima foil's )Hus Auifaimdedinatio(qiiad to* ti cfem gradus ficut prfdifla fica eft) defcribitv

Diftantia inter tropicu cancri 8c cfrculu ar&icul

&2*

graduu

diftantia inter tropicu capricorni antarcflicuiru

& aS,min. Totidem etiam graduu & circulum

a

Aequatorem media <celi amplitude

di ^quediftaris
efficit.

polis

sna

Hue vfcp de quinqp zonis & earum abinuicem di^

ftantia,cofequ enter tiamfhiJHmdercliquis

quf

damtrademus.
Ctrculu zodiaci efus ipGas poli oft^ndut/a quiV bus vlVp ad tropicos ( id eft maximas folis decline
latitudo ab ccliptica ^fus vtrof^tropicos fexgra^ in cllinm

&

vniuerfum.i2.grad

Coluros declinationu Sc afcendonu fignant fo!^

flicia

& jquino<ftia/hijc^ fub polisjmundi

fefe

per

dxem

ccdi ad angulos redlos fpherales intcrfecat*

Simflitcr per ^quatc re Sed per Zodaciu sequino^ ifaorum coluri vadentes coftituunt angulos pbli^

quos cuper (blfticiorum zod^recflos caufent* Circulum meridionalem(mobilem quidem) axi^ idem fub ipfis polis continet, Horizontis circulu/declarat zenithJp&m cnim tancppolus eius (uperior exiftes vbicjp ab eo ^quc iuidit idem circulus honzontis/ herai

XIV

RVDIMENTA
ipheriu

noftru ab aitero per folis ortu &T OccafumJ His vero qui fub aequinocfriali funt per vtrofcp mu di polos.Et diftat Temper zenith in omni horizote

quarts pars circuli.Eftcp peripheria horizontis quater di* ftantiam inter zenith horizontafuperans. Id dernu ammaduerfione n5 axem

ab

ipfius circuferentia.po.gradibus qui funt

&

eftindignum

tnudi in material) fphera diametraliter ab eiufdem polis per ceutru mundi(qug eft terra) tranGre*

Axis vero zodiaciin fphera no apparet fed intcl

ligendus eft.& hie axem mundi medium ad angu* los impares (iue obliques in centro interfecat*

Hoc mo do in ipfa mundi fabrica mirabilis feri^s

&T reru ordo pr^cipuus effe videturtcxiius imagine veteres aftronomi defcribentes facfloris ipfius qua
turn fieri potuit veftigiacqui omnia in numero po^ dere &C menfurafceat)fequuri funt.Nos ea

quocp de re trad:antes fpacrj iniquitate fie exdufi vt rariq minutoru non vel vix poffit obferuari/&: Q obfer*
uaretur etiam tedium
nis

cum errore gigneret/ a plx^

nem fumemus*

graduum annotationibus circulorum pofirio^ Nam non multum diftat inter .51*

min. 8^ plenum gradum qui fexaginta minuta con tinet ficuti fupradiximus/atcj? in libro de fphera 8C aliubi ab harum rerum ftudiofis examuflim deda^
ratur.Itacp
in

figura

quam pro

talium intelligent

tkhocloco fubiungemus ipfi bini tropici cancri.f*

ij

XV

SPHERAE MATE.

& capricomi/ atcpmaxime

cquinooiali.i^gradibus

folis declination esab

diftabukQuamu &: po*

fiC atarcncus a Uipflus[zodiad/Tiuc circuli arccicus polls mundi funt diftaiitcs fuper fexagcHmu fcxtii

deuatioms gradum

fiti*

Polus Ardicuf

XVI

RVDIMENTA
DC qui'ncf? Zonis cccleftibus /earunctemcjf
&graduii
cceli

ad

terra applicatione,

CAPVTQV1NTVM
Ha&enus brcmffimc de nomillis Geometrifpt?
ciprjs/dc fphera/polis/quincf Zonis/atcj; ipfis di circuF/rcruq? taliu quada*! heorica diximusrnuc
ic<f^o(ni failor) otdi'ne

m&

de applicatione horij

circus

loru 8c graduii ad ipam terra fufcipiencla detcrml natio venit^Ergo i^itfcicndu eft in terra qulcp

gas per zonas predid:as diftinguL Vnde et Ouidi^ us in Methamorphofi ait.

Vtcp diiac dextra cerium totidemc}? Cnifrra

Partefecant zona?/quinta eft ardentiorillis Sic onus inclufum numero diftinxit eodem

Cura deiitotidemC^ plage tellureprernunttir Quaru que media eft non eft habitabflfs ^ftu

Nix tegit alta duas/toridcm inter vtrafcp locauft

Temperiemcp dedit mixta cu frigore flamma* Et vt res apertior fiat /quatuor mfnorcs drcnli
ArcHcus/candi/capricorni/ 8f antanfh'cu's differs

minant diftinguutq? quinc^ codi zonas.Vt(veibi

caufa)efto in fcqnenti figura,a. polus mundi anSi* cus/bc.drcfus Boreus/d.e.circulus Cancri/f.g.cir

oilus capricorni/h.k.atarc5Hcus/L yo polus Nothi cus.Erit primazona.f,Boreaar<flicacp totuinter.b

a.c.intereeptu fpaciu/queperpetuo nigorerigcns inhabitata eft Secudaerittotum'inttr,b*cet.<le;

iij

XVII

SPHERAE MATE.
mterceptu fpaciu/temporata at^ habitabflisTer# tia to tu inter .de.f.g. medium fpaciu feruoremale
egrecp habitabilis.Sol cm illic fecundulinea,e.( 4 nobis ecliptica defignaOafiidua volubilitate gyros duces fuo feruore ea reddit torrida atta i nhabitata

Q^uarta eft totu inter.tg.et.h.k. fpaciurtennpeiata /fi aquaru vaftitas &T al tera coeli fa atcp habitabilis cies id impune finat. Q^uinta eft totum inter.h.k.L interclufum fpaciu frigore femper horrcns atcp in#

Cum aut ditimus aliqua cceli zo^

(habitata*

nam vel habitat a vel inhabitata/hac denomination

nemafimilizona terrae illi ccclefti plagar fubieAa volumus:&: qn habitata aut habitabilc dl intelligi cimus/bene Sc facile habitabilem.Cu veto inhabit
tatara vel inhabitabile/egre difficilecp habitabilent

qui intelligimus.Sunt nam nuc habitant multi.Vtqui

em

exuftam torridamcp 20 Cherfonefum au*

ream incolut/vtTaprobanenfes/ Aethiopes/et ma xima pars terrg femper incogn/tae nuper ab Ameri
CO Ve^putio repert.Qua de re ipfitis quatuor (ub iungentur nauigationes ex Italico fermone in Gal* Kcum/& exGallico inlatinum verfa?. vt fubfeques indicatfigu Itacp fdendu quod (

&

ra)prima zona q polo

dius latitudinis

ar<flico

proxima- eft.^j.gra^
ipfi par eft/totidc

&5i.min habet
illi

Secuda qu
Tertia temp

antar<flica atc^

XVIII

RVDIMENTA
Qtifcta qug par eft /totidem Quinta tfo torrida media gractos.^BC.j Sed horu qucndam typum ponamus*

&

PolusArdicus

PolusAntard*

XIX

Paraklli'cqui &: Almucantfiarat diaint)funt cir

tuliveiline^quoquo verfus/atq? ex omni parte aequediftantes/& nunq? fi poflent etiam in infini* turn jptrahl cocurrentesQualis eft in fphera equa tor'ctunalrjs quatuor circulis minoribusN5 quia quantu primus a fecundo /tan turn fecundus a t$rt tio diftet tnaip hoc falfum cfi:/vt ex pr^cedetibus li
quet/fed cp quilibet duo circuli (imuliuncli fecun^ du qualibec fui gte f que abinuice fint diftatcs*

N5

cnim eft fqaator ex vna parte altero tropicoru cp X altavicinioraut diftantior/ cum omniquacp a
. 8c 5i rni> tropicis Gcut prgdiximus 13. gradibus auds diftet.Simili modo de tropicis ad duos extre

mos diceodum el t: quorum vtcrcp ex omnibus

partibus ab vtro<J ^i gradibus
ftant*

ful

8C. minutis di

Licet tfo poffent paralelliad libitum cuiuflibet

diftantes-defcribi nobis

tamen pro faciliori fuppu tationc conuenientiflGtmum vifum eft(quod et ipfi Ptholonigo placuit)vt tam in foltda ^ piana Cofc
mographiaegeneralisdefcriptioneipfos tot gradi bus abmuice fecerneremus/quot fequens formula

oftenditCui etia figura fubiungetur in

IDS per terra vtricj

quaparalej

ad fpheram coeli pro trah

XX

Paralelli

gradus
coeli

ab^quat.

Hor^die* ruma*

QuotmiDf;
fa.gra.vnus

Gradus
6 Antidiafiencsj
a^.if
|

Hor
15.2

RVDIMENTA
De diiflatibus caput. vij.
Licet clima propri^regio interprctetur/ hoc men locO fpaciu terr inter duas ^quediftantes ap*
pellatur/in

quo porre&iffim^ diei ab initio dimatis

variatio

eft. quottu vfcp ad Bnem dimidic^ horg ab fuerit/tot Ion (emihoris clima gquatore aliquod

Et

dies fuperat diern no<fti ^qualem*. giffima eius loci

Sunt(^ ipforum Septemgeminarcpuis ad auftrum no fit feptimum adhuc luftratum, Sed Boream vet fus Ptholomeus terram feptem femihoraru fpacio ho(pitalem Sc habjtabile inuenit: qu^ feptem clima ta ab infigni aut Vrbe/aut fluuio/aut mote fua no

O
jj
>*

mina funt fortita. Primu dicitur DiaMcroes/a dia quod apud gtf

cos per fignificat/6^ cafu patrio iungif. Atcp a roe qu e Afric^ ciuitas in torrida zona citra gqua# tore.id.gradibusfita/inquoparalello &: ipfe NiV
lus efTe muenitur.Eius/& fubfequetium etia initiu medium finem atcp maximg diei in quolibet ipa

Me

&

mm horas generate noftru(pro cuius intelligentia

hgc fcnbimus )tibi liquido oftendet* DiaSienes a Siene Aegipti vrbe/quod e^puidg Z

Th^aidos principium
vrbe j Afiioc Aegipti Metropoli: quam Alexander Ma gnus condiditrdequo didii eft apoeta;Vnus Pel
.

Dia Alexandrias

Ab Alexandria

infigni

eo iuueni non fufndt orbis

ij

XXIII

5PHERAE MAT,
DiaRhodon /a Rhode Afi? mmoris I
ea fitam noftra tempeftate clarS ciuitatcmhabet/fortiterThurcaruefferos bellicof
cfc

fui nominis in

impetus fuftinentem/atqj profligantem gcnero

fiffime,

DiaRhcmes /ab vrbe Europ^ notiffima/Tter Ita licas maxime clara/&T infigni oh'm gentiii domitru
ce/at<^ orbis capite/nuc patris patru maximi fede DiaBorifchenes /a magno Scy tharu flunio qui
eft quartus

ab Hiflro*
in

DiaRhipheon/a Rjpheis montibus qui

Saw

tnaticaEuropainfignes funtpcrpctua niue cande

Ab bis infignibus locis per qu^ fermc climatum

linear medietranfeuntfeptemclimatacqugPtholo

ffleus pofuit)fua

foniuntur nornina*

Ocflauu Ptholom^us no pofuit/ciim illud terrg (quodcun^ eft) ipfi incognita a nuperionbus lu^
jftratu

fit.& diciturDiatyles/quod ipfius principiu

ab {quatore,ti.)re<fliflime per Tylen fit^ptcnfus.Eft autTyle Septemtrionalis in de qua Maro nofter/Tibi feruiet vltima Tyle; Virgflkfula Et h^c de climatibus ab ^quatore Septemtrione US. ^fiis.Pari mo dicendu eft de eis qug fut vltra f qui tiodiale ad Auftrum/quoru fex contraria nomina habentiafuntluftrata et did pofTunt antidiaMero cs/ antidiaAlcxandrias/ AntidiaRhodon Antidia
(qui eft Paralellus

XXIV

RVDIMENTA
Rhomes/ aatidiaBcmichenes: a greca gticula anti q oppofkuvel cotra denotat* Atcp in fexto climate
verfus/&parscxcrema Africa nuper Ycperta &/Zamzibar/Iaua minor/& Seula infulg quarta orbis pars (quam quia Americus inueult Arnerigen /quafi Amend terra / fiuc America nun Amcti
Antar<?ticu

&

cupare licet) fitapfunt.De quibus Auftralibns diV ge matibus h^c Pomponij Mellg Geographi verba in
telligeda

(unt /vbi

aitZon

habitabiles paria ague

alte#

Popo;
Mellse

aninitempora/verunopariter^Antichthones

ram/nos alteram incoUmusIllius fitus ob ardore in

tercedentis plagg iacogmtus/hufus dicendus eft*

Vbi aiiimaduertendum eft quoddimatu quodcp

aliud pleruq^ foetus ^pducat/cu diuerf^fut naturf7& alia atc^ alia fyderii virtute moderentur,
alios

Vnde Virgiiius^ Nee vero,terr ferre omnes omnia poffiint

Hie fegetes /illic veniunt foclicius vug
Arborei foetus alibi/atcpiniuffavirefcunt

Vergi

GramIaNorfe vides croceos vtThmolus odores

India mittit ebur C'mittut fua thura Sabci

AtCalybes nudi

ferru:virofa<^

pontus

Cofterea.Eliadu palmas Ep iros equaru &c,

*

OCTAVVM CAP VT DE VJENTTS.

a
XXV

Q.uonia in fupenonbus ventoru aliquando in^ ddenter memores fuimns( caf poiuBoreu/polu Nothicu/atc^id germs alia diximus)5c ipforucc*
uj

SPHERAE MAT.
gnitio
nonitiil

mbmeti imo magna vtililate ad Cof

hoc fubfequenti mographia habere dignofcitrideo cV flatus di^ fpiritus capite qucda de ventiscqui

&

cuntXrademus.Efi: igitur* ventus( vt a Priilofophis

definitur) exhalatio calida

& ficca

latcraliter circa

terrammotackc. Quia vero fol fecundu binos tropicos V &T ipm

f qtore triplice ortu atcp occa(u /^ftiuale.f. ^quino^ <fhale/ac hyemale feruatietmeridei fimiliterc^ ipius

feptetrionis vtrinc^ fint latera/qu^2 qu^ libet pro* priu ventii habettio fumatim.xr).funt veti/ tres ori
cntis/tres occidentis/totide meridei/cxT
<fhs totideiex
i

medieno^ gbus qtuor qui feqnti formula me#

diu locu tenebut pricipaliores fur /all) minus prlci* Oriens. Occidens,
Collar.
1

1 rop.Canc,

js?Kto3

[Chorus

Mcdrj.

Vento
ru

ma*

,RVDIMENTA
tn mlus prlcipales ( <| ct collates principalioribus ex licentiac vt fuus fibi mos cft>

c5fuuerunt.Hmc &C Ouidius ait Eurus ad Aurora Nabatheacp regtia rcceffic

vfiirparc
Perfidacft 8^ radrjs iuga fubdita maturirus^ Vefper oC Occiduo qu^ littora fole tepefcunt

Proxima fut Zcphiro: Scy thiam/fcptecp Triones

Horrifer iuuafit Boreas /contraria tellus

Nubibus afliduis/pluuioqp madefcit ab Auftro

Eft aute Subfolani aura faluberrima /qug a fole purior &T fubtilior alrjs efficitur, Zephirus Galon's et hurnoris tempcriem fiabes montiu pruinas refoluit. Vn e illud Vergilrj Lfqui
tur et putris

Zephiro fe gl^ba refoluit.

Auftri flatus crebro tcmpeftatu/^pcellanj /at$ himbriu pfagus :Qjuare Nazo infit, Madidis

&

Nothus

euoiat

alis.

Aquilo fuo n'gore aquas ligat/atque conftringit Vir. Etglacialis hyems Aqutl5ibus afperat vndas

His devenusGallmariiinoftru mult do<fhing Gallina viru fequetes quatuor edere verficulos memini, ri u$.

Eu rus et Eoo flat. Subfolanus ab ortu*

Fiatibus occafum Zephirufcp Fauonius implent*' Aufter in extremis Lybiae et Nothus ^ftuatoris* Sudificus Boreas Aquilo qjminaturab axe.
feptentrionales fint natura frigidi/ nihilo tamen minus quando tCrridarn zonam per

Et licet ved

afj

XXVII

COSMOGRAPHIAE
tranfeunt/mitfgantur:ficut
eft.

& de Auftro tornJam

!Zonam anteacp ad nos veniat tranfeunte/copertQ

Cogit aquas vinclis/at dum per torrida flam Sydera tranfierit/noftras captandus in oras

Quod fequentibus verfibus infinuatmv Quoc loco prodit gelidus furit Aufter/ & ar#i$
feuiffima tela re:orquec

Comeat:& Bore

At contra Boreas nobis grauis/orbe fub imo

Fit ratione pari moderaris leuior ajis*

Cetera mox varies quacurius flatninamittum Imutaiit proprig naturamfedis eundo* Hucufcp de ventis diclii fufficiat.Ponamus nuc
iiaRj omniu fi'guravniuerfale:m

qua fint poli/axes/ drculi cu maiores tum etiam minor es/oriens/occiV/

dens/quincp zonae/gradus logitudinis/latitudinis tarn ipfius terr eg coeli/paralelH/climata/ventS

&c

CAPVTJX.DB QVIBVSDAM COS/ MOGRAPHI AB RVDlMENTIS,

Omne terrg ambitu ad cceli fpaciuni ptm<fH obti
nere radonem Aftronomicis demonftrationibus conftatlta vt C ad cpeleftis globi magnitudine co<* feraf/ nihil ipacrj prorfus habere iudicct.Et huius

quidem tarn exiguf in mundo regionis quarta fere portio eft qucPtholomgo cognita a nobis animan tibus Tcolif* Atcg in tris partes haflenus ftiflafirir*
Europam/Africam/8c Afiam.

XXVIII

JPropoGtuffl eft noc libcllo qaandam depinximus.ln folido quidem fp ado cxclu otbis tcrrarui partiri limite campum/ita ab ca in qua fumus parte indpiamus) ad E

<Cc

&

tur)pofuimus atcp dauc fummi patris patr pcncomnem 8^ Af

dnximnsjTC^phhcam

ni quafi torins Egy pti

& partis Afig domii

eft

CgnuTI clialybc drcumdedimus quod CTAfiatica nocauimus anchoris quas magniu

oricntali &T mcridionali India? pr^eft atc^ i tos Caftili^ et Lufitanisc reges rcpcm

indy

vado fa.maiis lictorac vbi nauira^a timcnt

o w
03

CARTER

V
_PropoGturtl eft hoclibello duandam Cofmograpfn depinximus.ln folido quidem (patio cxclufi ft n&ilfim m /if a orbis terrarum rcgioncs partiri limite campu ab ea in qua fumus pane incipiamus ) ad I:urop mcdn tur)pofuimus atcp clauc fummi patris patru in figni ipi

&

cinximns/TAphricam pcncomnem 8C Afi partem fi ni quad toons Egypti &: panis AGgdomini^Afig vrr chalybc circumdcdimus quod eft GgnuThurcoru Zol< flAfianca notauimus anchohs quas magnns Tartarus p
oriental!

& meridional! India? prgeft atcp inBibcrith

fc

incly cos Caftili^ et Lufi tanix rcges

repertam eomnder

vadofa maris lictorac vbi luuiragia cuneatvir)imagicub

itroducflioncfcribcrcrquam nos tarn in folido q? ptan6 kdlatius in piano: vbificutagreftcs fignarc afueuemnt

rcipuas dominorum infigni)s notare (tuduimusi Et ( vf lium Rhomanas aqiulasc quf regibus Europf do in an

ifcrcEuropamcqu^Rhomanam ccclcfiam profitctur) uuimus lunulis quod eft infign e fummi Babiloni^ Solda iDartc quc minor Ada diotur crocca colons crucc iunAo 8arm aticS ni Jcy t KM intra im au m aximu A fie montc habeC^trux rubca pncltytcrum loanncc qui ct infigni cm tenet )rcprcfcntaL Denicp in quartam tcrrg pane per nforum infigni a pofuimus ,Et quod no eft ignorandum

&

crucis

Ggnauimus 1 cd jhgc iam nufla faciciucs.

tamfnfolido cp plana
fiftddi(Iirne.Scdlatiusinplano:vbificutagreftes fignarc afueucrunt

m regiones prxcipuas do minorum infignqs no tare (tuduimusfEt ( vt

urop meditulliumRhomanas aquilasc qu regibus Europe dominati

5infigmipfamfcreEuropam(quf Rhomanam ecclcfiatn profitctur) lunulis quod eft if panem fignauimus infign e fummi Babilonif Solda iL^Afif vero parte qu^ minor Afia dititur crocea colons cruce iun dlo lurcoru Soldani $ey thia intra imau rnaximu Afie montc dC 8arm aticj 5 Tartarus pro infigni habet/TCrux rubea pnelby terum loannec qui ct tiBiberith fcdem tenet )reprefentat.Demcp in quartam terrg parte per tm eorundem ipforum infignia pofuimus.Et quod no eft ignorandum iam mifla facientes* vir)imaginibus crucis fignauimus Tedihgc

RVDIMENTA
Europa ab occidetemari Athlantico/a{epte.Bri
tanico/ab orieteThanai/Meotide palude/et poto: a meridie man mediterraneo daudif / habet^ in fc

Hifpaniam/Galliam/GeHnania/Rh^tiam/Italiam/ Sarmatiam, Sic di&a a filia regis Age^ Grgtiam/ noris ems nominis:qu dum virginibus Tiiijs co<? niitatain marine littore puellari ftudioluderet &C caniftra floribus ftiparet/ab loue in thauR2 niueum verfb rapta illius tergo infedifle /& per $quora po ti in Crctam delata terrg contra iaccnti nomen de^

&

difTe creditur*

Africa aboccidente man Athlantico/a meridic

oceano Aethiopico/a Septemtrionemarimediter raneo/^T ab onu Nili flumine terminatur* Ea in fc

& Cscfarien fem/Libiam interioreni/Numidiamcqua & Mapa

copIecliturMauritanias Tingitanam

liam dicunOminorem Africamc in qua eft Charta^ olim pertinax armula )Cyre* go Rhomani
imperij

neica/Marmaricam /Lybiam (quo etia nomine to ta Africa a Libe rege Maurithm^ appellat ) Aethio

piam interiore/Aegiptu &c*Et dicit Africa quod

firigoris rigiditate careat,

Afia(qu cameras magnitudine Sf opibus logifi fime vincit)ab Europa T hanai fluiuo/atc ab Afri ca Ifchmoc qui in Auftralem plaga diftentus Ara# bi Sc Aegpti finum perfcindit) (ecernit Hfc prin
dpaliffimas regiones habct Bithiniam/ Gaiatiaxn;

XXIX

COSMOGRPHIAE
Capadodam/Pamphili'am/Lidiam/Cilida/Armc
nias maiore 8C minore.Colchiden/Hircaniam/HiV

beriam/Albaniatet prgterea tnFtas quas fingilatim cnumerare longa mora eflet.Ita di<fta ab dus norai
nis regina*

quarta pars per America Vefputiu( vt in fequenti bus audietur )inuenta eft/qua non yideo cur quis iure vetet ab Americo inuentore fagacis ingenij vi
1

ro Amerigen quafi

Amend

terra / fiue

Antericam

ca

dicenda:cu 8c Europa &T Afia a muh'eribus fua for tita fint nomina.Eius fitu 8^ gentis mores ex bis bi
nis

Amerid

nauigationibus quae fequuntliquidc

datun intelligi
quadripartita cagno^ prime partes corinentes/quarta eft infulatcu omni quacp man circudata confpiciat.Et
fdtret funt tres

Hunc in modu terra iant

mare vnu fit queadmodu et ipfa tellus/multis innumeris replgtum tamen finibus diftindrum /
licet

&

PnTn'a lULiA
nus>

infulis varia fibi

nola aflumit :que et in

*-

Cofmogra O

phise tabulis c5fpidunt/& Prifdanus in tralatione DioniC) talibus enumerat verfibus.

Circuit Oceani gurges

Q_ui cpuis Finibus He(perijs Athlanticus file vocatur At Boreg qua gens furit Armiafpa Tub armis

tamen vtidicp vail*u$ vnus fitplurima nominafumiu

Didf ilie piger accn5 Satur,ide Momius eft alfjs;

XXX

RVDIMENTA
Vndetamen primoconfcenditlunuW/Titatt EoumCp vocant atc Indum nomine pontum
Sed qua deuexus calid u polus ex dpi: Auftrum' Aethiopumcp Cmul pelagus RubruCp vocatur Circuit oceanusJic to tu maximus orbem Nominibus varrjs cdebratus.
Perfecat Helperia primus qui porgif vndis
Indicu;

Aethio
picunu

Pamphilcucp latus Lybi^pr^tendit ab oris Sic minor eft reliquis/maior quem Cafpia tellus Sufcipit intrante vaftis Aquilonis ab vndis

Paplifo
licurn*

Nomine Saturni quod Thetis poflidet quor

CafpfiJ

Cafpius ifte finus fimul Htrcanufctt vocatur At duo qui veniunt Auftralis ab 5 quore ponri Hirct; Perficlj Hie (upra currens mare Perficus efBdt altum

Eregione finis /qua Cafpia voluitur vnda Flucluat a ft alter Panchca qp littora pulfat Euxeni contra pelagus protentus in Auftro Ordine principiu capiens Athlantis ab vnda Herculeo celebrant quam mte munerejGades* C^liferaftp tenet ftans Athlas monte columnas Eft primus vaftis qiii pontus Hibericus vndis Diuidit Europen Lybia comunis vtricp

AtKtan ticum Hercu^

leurru

Hinc atcp hinc ftatu

Gallicus

funt: amb^ littora cernunt

Hfc Lybies hec Europes aduerfa tuendo*

hunc
gurgesrqui Celtica littora pulfat
terriscreuere Latinis^

GaDicu

Fxdpit:hunc (equitur Liguru cognomine didus

Quadominirerum

Ad petram leucen Aquilonis ab axe reduilus

XXXI

Qug'freta Sicanig concludit littore cnrao

Infula fed

Mare
Tliyrrc

Cyrnos proprfjs pulfatur Infra fardonium pelagus Celtumcp refufis

tumidus Tyrrhenivoluitur^ftus

tftdefalis

Ad partes vergens auftrales/exdpit iftum

quore)rupem: Qtta Gortynapotes medijsqua Phgftosmaitus Arietis hanc rupem fimitantem verticefrontent Pro merito grarj Criu dixere metopon*

SiCulu Skaniggurges folis deflexus adortus: Qui procul efFufus Pachyms tenditur cms

Ad Cr^ten fumma( quf prommet

Adrfa #

Hoc mare Gargani concludit lapygi's orar Iliinc indpiens extenditur Adda vaftusr

ticum^
loniu*

Ad Boream pcnetrans pelago folemcp cadent?

lonius pariter finus hie perhibetur ab orbc/ Diuidit 8^ geminas diuerfis paTtibus oras:

UliricUr

Q_uas eamen extremas coiungit terminus vnus Ad dextram parte pro tenditur lllyris aim a: Poft hanc Dalmatig populorffmartia tellus Ad I^uam AufonigporreAus continet Ifthmos Quetria circundant maria vndi^littorecuruo Tyrrhenum/Siculum/ necnon fimut Adria vaftu$ Finibus at proprrjs exceptant fingula ventos

TyiThenum ZephyrorSiculum fed tundit Au

Adria fuccurrens

Eoo frangiturEuro*

Syrds

AtpoftSicaniam tradludifFundituralto Ad Syrtim pelagus /Lybicis qug cingitur orist

XXXII

RVD1MENTA
JYlaiorem poftquam minor excipidfquorajonge Atcp finu gemino refonanria littora puiTanC
Finibus a Siculis Cretpjm tenditur ^quot Ad folis veniens onus Salmonida pofcens
Dicitur Ecus qui

Marc
CrgtfUJ

Crt

terminus

effe:

atris Pofthanceftptminumarevaftuflu<?hbus o Flucfhbus Hifmanci Boref quod nmdirur atris,

Q_uod ruit aducrfus cclfg dc partibus Anfri Quodprius eft Phariu perhibet hoc littora
:

tagit Phariii

Prccipitiscafumontis:poft vndafecunda

Sidoniucitpclaousrpenetratquagirrgitcpontus* Sidoni Ificus Arcf^oas ad panes equorc vergcns* um Non lon^e reclus: Ciliaim nam frangitur oris. Hinc 2cphiros pofcens veluti draco fleclit vndis

Quod iugamontiuagus vaftatrfiluafcp fatigac Panibus extremis Pamphilia claudirur ifto:

Ate]; Chelidonig rupes cinguntur eodem

At proculhuncSepKyrushnitPatareide
Poll;

furama;

hec Arcftoas ad panes afpice rurfus A^geum/fuperat qui flu(fnbus equora cimcla: Difpcrfas vafto qui gurgite Cycladas ambit Tenninat hucimbros pariterTenedofcp coerces An on ft a trahif qua faucc Propontidis vnda Afiarquam fupra populis diltenditur amplis Ad Notiam partcmrqua latus ducitiir Ifthmos!
Tlireicius fequitur poft

Ae^cu

Bofphorus

oftia ponti:

Hoc nullum pcrhibent terras anguftius oibis

bofpho
rus*

XXXIII

COSMOGRAPHfAE
e

^P

EflefretumdirimensrhicfuntSymplegades a Panditur hie pond pelagus Titanis ad ortus Quod petit obliquo Boream folemqp meatu

Hinc atcp hinc medio percurrunt ^quore colics!

Vnus qui veniens A%de parte Carambis

Dicinir auftrali:fed contra finibus alter

Prominet Europ^ hunc criu dixere metopon:

Ergo conueniunt aduerfi gurgite tanto

Diftantes quantu ternis tranfire diebus Eualeat nauis:bimarem fie ^quore pontum
Afpicias fimilem cornu quod fleditur arcus Neruo curuati difteftto dextera neruum

Affimilacreclo trahitur nam linea duclu

Extra quam Boream quo fcandit fola Carambis Sed formam cornu geminatis flexibus edit
AVleotis

Littus:quod pontum cingit fub parte finiftra In quam Meotis penetrans Aquilionis ad axes Q^uam Scytlii^ gentes circundant vndicp ripis

Thau ^
fus

Et matrem ponti perhibent Meotidis vndam* Scilicet hie ponti vis exit gurgite multo Cimmeriu torrens per Bofphoron hie vbi Thaurii Cimmeri] gelidis habitant fub finibus imum. Hee rnaris eft fpecies fplendens h^c forma ^pfundi* Eft autvt pr^diximus mare plenum infiilis c qui bus maxirn^ 8c principaliores iuxta Ptholomgum.
hgftint

Taprobanainmarilndico fub gquatorc

XXXIV

Albion <JU

RVDIMENTA SC Britannia & Anglia

Sardim'ain man mediterranco

Candia qu
Selandia
JSicilia

& Creta in finu Aegeo

in mari mediterranco

Corfyca Ciprus

M adagafcarin mari Prafodo

Angama
Peuta
SeuJa
In oceano Indico

Extra Pthofomcum

Zamzibar laua in Occano Indico oriental!

Zipangriin Oceano oceidentafi H?funt ingentes quas cingit Tethyo^s vnda

Infulf :adhucalif diuerfis partibus orbis*

P T

'

Diuerffpliires famalaruereminores Auris difficiles nautis velpoitubus aptf

Q^uaru non facile eft mihi promere nomina verfu; Cf teru vt vnius loci ab altero diftantiam cogno
fee re poflis poll eleuatio tibi cuprimis cofideraxia

venit Annotanduigit paueis quod( vt ex fuperiori bus liquet ) viiientibus Tub paralello equinoclialj vterc^ polus in horizonte eft,Eunri aute ad fepte>

trionemeOTnagisfubleuatpoIus quantoplus

ali^
rc<>

u atore difceflferit

Qu e poli eleuatio

XXXV

COSMOGRAPHIAE
Ptofo
gionu

& locoru ab ?quatore diftantia demoftrat;

loci traftus
.

Eftemtantus

ab gquatorecuius me* fur* fdre'defideras /quata e cleuatio poll ad zenith ciufde Ex quibus rrullianti numerus facilis cogni (u euadit/du eu nde p numcru eleuatioi's poli multi

Ptholom^i plicaucris. tentia inilliariaacirculo cqno<flialiad Artflonvbi

Veru

rn

no

func fecudu

(eu^

-. *r r-~ liana coanecqucraciur.i? Liermanica. Lomumrer

.
1

ip getiufquales.Na apnmo equatoris gradu vfcp oraduu iexapinta Italica nul ad duodecunu/qlibet -^

em quatuor icalica pro vno Germamco

noncmus formulam fequentem.
Gradus
GradusMillialcal.

repucanr.

Eta.u.^radu vfqpad.zf.qiuliber.59. milliana facie qu^funt Germanjs.ia,i.i.Accp vi res fiac apertior

Mil.Gcr

RVDIMENTA
Et ita quocp ab ^quinodHali ^(us polos ram an**
arcticumraduulatitudinis c6tinen?
tia variatur.

Quod fifcire voluctis quot ab vno

milliaria fint/pcrpende diligenrer ill

loco ad

ahum

gradus

quot quibusgradibuslatitudinis finttalialoca medient/ deinde vide in formula faperiori

talis

&

quot milliaria

gradus habeat

& multi'pLica nu

meru milliariu per numeru medioru graduu/ atq? milliariu numerus refultabin qu cultalica Ricrint
diuidas perquatuor/ Germanicahabebis* ad inducftione H^c Cofmograpfua^icfia fufflc/at
fi

&

modo amonuerimus prius/nus in depingeftdis tabulis typi generalis no omnimodo fequutos efle
te

Ptholomfu/pr^fertim circa nouas terras vbiin car tis marinis alitcr animaduertimus fquatorcm cofti tui cjjPtholomcus f^ceriLEc^pindeno debec nos ftatinrculpare qui illud ipm notauerint. Confulto em fccdmus quod hie Ptholomeu/ahbacartas ma#
rinas fequuri (umus.Cu

& ipfe Ptholomeus quirr^

tOcapiteprimilibilNonomnes contfnentis par* tes ob fu^ magnitudinis exceflum ad ipfius perue^

tiiffe

us

noticiam dicat/ et aliquas

quemadmodum fe

habeant ob peregrinantium negligentiam fibi mi^ nus dili center tradit as /alias efle quas ab'ter atqj all ter fe habere cadngat ob corruptiones &T mutado
nes in quibus jp patte corraiffecognitc funt. Fuit igit ncceflecquod ipfe fib i ed a facundu ait)ad
fa

XXXVII

uas temports noftri/ traditiones magi's intencfereJ Ec'ita qufdcm temporauimus rem /vc in piano cite alia ra nouas terras qucpiam Ptholomeu: info* vero lido quod piano additur defcriptione Amerl

&

cifiibfequentem feftati ruerimus,

APPENDIX

Anneclamus adhuc fupcrioribus anteacp rece# ptui canamus elcu ationis poli atqp ipfius zenith ac
centri horizontis

gon & quoddacorolariu. Quamuis firedle con* (iderauenmus is quadrans de quo dicemus non fit ndhas res-impertines, Cofmographu em velmaxi

& climatu quadrante velut parer

eleuatione/zenith/'& terrg di

me poli fupra captit

tes quatuor/ita

mata cognofcere oportet Format itacp idem qua*

drans hocpa<fto. Diuide quccuncp circulu in par

quod du diamctn ie in

centro ad

angulos re<flos inter feeent:quaru vna( que; altera fm pane pinnulas habet)axem poloru mudi/& al#
s

^quatorem fignificabit,Deinde ea parte circuit eft iitter femiaxem pinnulas habentem 8^ altc qti tam fcmidiamctrum in partes,xcdiuidas/atcpop* pofita in eotidem/ figafcp perpendiculii ad cetrum
tera

8f paratuseritquadraiis.Cuius hiceft vfus.Verte eu ita vt g pinnulas foramina polu direde videas

8C adquodcb'maajtcpinquc gradu: perpendiculii cectdet/eo ipo climate et eteuatio nis gradu tua re
zenith atq? horizontis centrikexiftif*

XXXVIII

Ha&enus exequuti capita propofita/hicipfas fort

ginquas expaciationes fequetcr introducamus Ve fputrj /fingulorum facflorum cxitum area inftitutu
tradentes*
Finis intlx)duftiom's

bq
XXXIX

PhiWiu s Vogefigena LrAori

iNilus.

j^ura papirifero qua florent pinguia Syro

Et faciunt Lun magna ftuenta lacus Adextris motes (ut lus/Danchis/quocp Mafcha
IJ achis
lllorum Aethiopcs inferiora tenent

Aphrfca confurgit quibus e regionibus aura Afflans cum Ubico feruida regna Notho< /ictnio x ay a p O p Uio Vulturnus pane calentL 65 Indica velod per freta calle venic* P^ ^^ Subiacet hie gquo nodHs Taprobana drco BafTacp Praibdo cernitur ipfk falo Aethiopes extra terra eft BaflTamcp marina

Male

NonnotaetabulisoPtholomge mis. cui cernitur hird Cornigeri Zenith tropid s* ? Atcp comes mult? funditor ipfus aqu?. * aP ro Dextrorfum immenfb tellus iacet gquore dn<Aa L Tellus /quam recolit nuda caterua virum Hanc quern clara fuum iacflat LuCtania regem

no thus

Vultur

Pars
a^

InuerutmiflapervadaclaflTe man's*

g e j quidpluraCfitu/gentis morefc^

phncg i
uenta*

repert^ Arrierid parua mole libellus habet,

Candide fyacero voluas hunc pecffcore leflor EtlegenoiioafumRhinocerontis habeas

XL

QVATVOR AMBiia VE*

SP VTU NAVIGATION'S
Ems qut tub fequetitS
rarum defcriptio* nedevulgari
Gallico ia

Latmu
traftu
lit.

Decaftichon
Afpicies tenucm quifquis fortaflc logiarn Nauigium memorat pagina noftra placQS

Continet inuentas oras/gentefc^ reccnter L^tificare fua qug nouitate queant* Hf c erat altiloquo prouincia danda Maroni Qui daret cxcelfg verba polita rei* Ille quot ambiuit freta cant at Troius hcrOs: Sic tua Vcfputi vela canenda forent*

Has igitur le<5lu terras vifurus/tnillis

Materiam
*

opus; Item diftichon ad eundem

libra: no n facicntis

Cum noua deleftent fama teftante loquaci

Que recrcaic qucunt hie noua lettor habcs

XLI

Cfuftriffimo

&

Renato Ihetufalem Sicilif regi/duci Lotho

ac

Barn. Ame* ringi ricus Vefputius hu#

milereuerentiaSC

debitarecome Hationem;
Fieri pot flluftriflime
ifta temeritate

Rexvt

tua maieftas

mea

ducaturin admiratione: propterea quod hafce litteras tarn prolixas adte fcribere noti

lubuerear/cum tamen fciam

is confilijs

tie

continue in ardu*

& crebris reipublicg negocijs occupatif

Cmum. Atc^ exiftimabor. forte non modo prgfum

etiam ociofus:id mihi muneris vendiV ptuofiis/fed res ftatuituo minus couenientes non de# cans/vt
kftabili fed barb arojprfus ftilo (veluti amufus ab humanitatis cultu alienus)ad Fcrnandu Caftili^rc

gem nominati'm fcriptas/ad te quo^p mittam Sed

.

ca qua in tuas ^tutes habeo cofidentia/& coperta fequentiu reru necp ab antiquis necp neoterids fai

ptarum veritas me corautM fortanis excufabunt; JVJouit me imprimis ad fcribendum prf fentiulatot
4

BeneuenutusM.t.humilis famulus/ &T amicus me

rcperiret eft vtt.M*ref 5 precatus per quatuor profediV onibus in diuerfis plagis mundi vifarum/parridpe fecefe eni bis binas nauigationes ad
jps

no pccnitendus/qui dum meUfbon

me

vellemPeregi

jiouas terras

Feoiandi

inueniendas:quaru duas exmandato oceani inclyti regts Caftilig per magnu

XLII

mflu nuelis Lufitanie regis ad Auftru.Itacp me ad id ne* accinxi fpcras q> .t. M. me de clientulolfc nu* goci]
fccci/afteras dtias

finum oca'dente ^fus

merono

excludet: vbi recordable

q>

olimutuaha

buerimus inter nos amicicia tcpore iuuentutis nrg cu gramaticg rudimeta imbibentes fub ^pbata vita dodrina venerabiF&T religiofi fratris de.SMar co Fra.Georgi) Anthoni) Vefputi) auunculi mei pariter militaremus Cuius auunculi veftigia vtiV

&

nam fequi potuiflem/alius profecfk>(

trareha
ait)

vt &. ipfePe

cflem c^ fum. Vtcucp

det efle qui fum. Semper

ftudiofis

til fit/no me pu# em in ipfa ^tute &T rebus

fummahabui delectation e. Q.uodfi tibi hg narrationes omnino non placuerintrdicamficut Plinius ad Mf cenate fcnbit Olim facetrjs meis de<?
leclari folebas.Et licet. M.t. fine fine I reipublicg ne?

gocqs occupata fit/mhilominus tantu teporis qfi^ cp fuffuraberis/vt has res cpuis ridiculascqug tame
fua nouitate iuuabut)pellegere pofiis.Habebis ern hifcc meis Iris poft curaru fometa &C meditameta

negocioru no modica deleclatione/ficut et ipfe fee ruculus prius fumptis efculentis odoredare 8^ me liore digeftione facere afueuit.Enirn vero plus q fuero / venia peto Vale* ^plixus
rexfciat.t.M.quodadhasfpfas re# caufa primu venerim *DumcJ pet giones mercadi qdrennrj reuoJutione I as rebus negodofus effeni
Iiiclytiffime

iiij

XLIII

ANTELOQVIVM
tt varias fottun^ mutatioes animaduerterem 7at<p caduca tranfitoriabona bo vide rem quo

paclo

&

ad tempus in rot fiimo teneret/& deirid ipfum predpirarent ad imu qui fe poffidere multa
itiittem

dkerepoteraticonftituimecuvarijstaliurerumca fibus exanclacis iftiufmodinegodadimitfe/etrae* oru laborum finern in res laudabiliores acplus fta# biles ponereJta difpofui me ad varias mundi par#;

teS'Cocempiandas/& diuerfas res mirabiles viden locus oportune ob da5 Ad qua rem fe tepus tulit Jpfe em Gaftili^ rex Fernandus tune quatuor parabat naues ad terras nouas oecidentem verfus difcooperiendas/cuius celfitudo me ad taliaimieftl

&

&

ganda in ipfam fodetate eiegitEtfoluimus vigcfi^ ma die Mar).Mccccxcvrjde portu Calidae iter no ftru per magnu ocean! finu capientestin qua pro^
fccTione.xvii^conflimauimus menfes/multas inue nicnies terras firmas/&infulaspene innumerable lesvtplurimu habit atas/quaru maiores noftri men

tiohem nullam fcecerunt Vnde ipfos antiquos tatiu non habuifTe notida credimus.Et iiifi memo** ia me fallat memini me in aliquo !egere/quod ma^ Ire vacuum et fine hominibus efle tenuerint,Cuius opinionis ipfeDantes Poetanofter fiiit/vbiduo
deuigefimocapitedeinferisloquens Vliffis te cofingitK^u^ autc mirabilia viderim/m fecju

&

lium proc

XLIV

PRINCIPIVM

TERRARVM INSVLARVMQVE VA*

riarum Dcfcriptio :quarum vcftuti no memincnlt aucores Nuper ab anno incarnatidomini Mcccc
xcvn.bis geminis nauigarionibus in man difcurfis/ inuentannduabus videlicet in man occidental! per dominu Fernandum Cafhlif /reliquisvero duabus

ponto per dominu Manuele Portugal li fereniflimos reges/ Americo Vefpucio vno ex Naucleris nauiumcp pr^fccflis pr^cipuo/fubfequc tern ad pr^fatum dominu Fernandum Caftflli^ re^
in Auftrali

gem/de huiufmodi terris 8c infulis edente narratio

NNO DOMINI M CCCC

.
.

xcvrjxx.menfis JMarj die/nos aim

iiij.conferuanti^ nauibus

Calidum
f

exeuntes portum/ad infulas( olim

fortunatas/nucveromagnam
bitati pofitas in tertio climaterfug

Ca

nariam dicfl:as)in fineoccxdentis ha

quo/ extra ho* rizontem earum/fe.xxvij.gradibus cu duobus ter deuat polus/diftafefcp ab hac trjs/feptentrionalis ciuitate Lifbona in qua cofcriptum extitit hoc prg
fens opufciilum. cc.Ixxx.leucisivento inter

men*

diem

& Lebeccium vert turn (pirante/curfu primo

jpertigimus,Vbi(nobis de lignis/aqua/c^terifcp ne ceflari]s prouidendo ) codimpris oclo fere diebus nos (fada^inprimis ad deumoratione) eieuatis ds*

XLV

NAVTGATIO
per rlumpta vna Lebeccrj quarta: ^tahnauigiotranfcurrimus vt.xxvrj.vix clapfis die bus terrg cuida applicaremustqua firma fore exifti mauimus.Diftatcp Canaric magti ab infulis. M.
liinc ventotraditis velis/nanigationeni noftra

Ponente

incipietes

(vel drciter) leudsrextra id

quod in zona

torrida

habitatu eft .Q^uod ex eo nobis conftitit:cj? Septe trionale polu extra huiufcemodi tclluns horizonte
eleuare/magifc^ occidentale.lxxv^ magng Canari^ ifulas gradibus exiftere cofpexi mus:^put inftrumeca ola moftrabat.Q^uo i locoaa

xvLgradibus

fe

(flis

de prora achons)clafle noftra/leuca a iittore cu media diftante/reftarecoegimusrnonnuliis folutis

phafelis armis

& gete ftipatis/cu quibus ij3m vfr^

ad littus attigimus.Quo ^primu puenimusrgente nudam fecundu littus euiitcm innumeram percepi mus.Vnde no paruo affecfri fuimus gaudio. Ornes cm qui nudi incedere confpiciebant: videbant quo Cppropternos ftiipcfacli vehementer e(Te. Ex eo
< vt arbirror)cj> veftitos /altering erFigiei cp foret/

nosefle intuitifunt.Hi) poftc^nos aduenifTe co^ gnouerunt/omnes in propinquu rnontc quendam

nee fignis pads aufugerutia quo tune nee nutibus etamicidfvllis/vt ad nos aceederet allici potuert.Ir ruente vero interea no<fle/nos elaiTcm noftra male
tuto in loco ( vbi nulla marinas aduerfus proceilas tuta reGdentia foret)cofidere timentes;coucnimu3

XLVI

PR1MA
tnufcj^portuquempiam/vbinoftras ftationein tu tacoUocareinus naues* Qua deliberative arreptal nos vento fecundu colic (pirantitraditis yelis/poft irt cp(vifu terram fpfam fequcndo/atcp ipfo plage.
littore/gentes c6tinuepercipiendo)duos intcgrofi

n^uigauimus dfesilooimnauibus fatis aptumconi ab ari perimus. In quo media tamuleucadiftantes

da/conftitimus:vidimufq^ tuncinibi innumerabw

cu cym^ & alloqui defiderantes:ipfamet die bis & nauiculis noftris appropiauimusrnccnon SC tune in terram exiuimus /ordine pulchrcnxlcirciter tamen anobis & cofor^ viri huiufcemodi gente
littori

lemgentiu turbam/quamnoscominus uifpicere/

fe

tio noftro penitus

alienam pr^beteJta vt nullis caf modis ad colloquiu comunicationemue noftra alii cere valuerimus : prftcrexillis paucos/qsmultos attraximus poft labores ob hoc fufceptos /tandem

ad nos dando
aliacj

nolas/fpecula/certos criftallinos fimilia leuia/ qui turn fecuri denobis effefli/

eis

conciliatum nobifcuin/necnon de pace& amici^ cia tradlatum venerunt* Subeunte auteminterini

nodle/nos ab illis nofmet expedientes (relicflfs efs> jioftras regreffi fumus adnaues.Poftea vero fub^
littoca fequentis fummo diluculo diei/infinftam.'in mulierum paruulos fuos fccunx ve# yirorum

&

fiantium gentem rurfum (Confpeximus cognoui*

XLVII

NAVIGATIO
multitudine illam fupellccfMem fuam fecura deferre totam /qualem infra fuo locum dicer.
flniiftp

Quo

nim^pplurcs^plurimumterr^appropiauimus (c fnctin^quor proijcientes(cum maximi natatores

cxiftent)quantus eftbalift^ia&us nobis

venenmt

tiatantcs obuiam/fufcfperuttp nos humaniter*atc^ confidentia feipfos inter nos com* ca fecuritatc

&

.mifcuerunt acfinobifcudiutius antea coucniffcnt

SC

paritcr frequentius prafticauiflcnt

pro qua re

tune per parum oble&ati fuimus.De quorum mo^ ribus(juales eos haberc vidimus )hic/quando qul dem fe comoclitas offcrt/intcrdum criam interfere
nius.

De moribus ac
viuendimodis*

eorum

VANTVM AD VITAM/EORVM
q
Cjf

mores omnes:tam mares

cp Teeming nu

dipenitus incedunt teclis non aliter ve^ fcndis qpcum ex vtero ^pdierunt.Hrj mediocris ex
iftentes ftaturg

multum bene propordonati

pili

funt

quorii caro ad rufedinc( veluti leonu

et in

C veftimetis opetti mearet albi(credo)taq^ nos ex^

corpe piios pter^r crines qs

)^git :qui

XLVIII

PR.1MA
preros nigrcfcetcfq? gerunt/& prcfertim fccming que proptereafut tali longo nigrocp crinc decoi g* Vultu non multu fpcciofi liint qm latas (acies tar*
tarns adfimilatas habct/nullos
cilt]S

oculonimuc

finunt in fupcr* palpebris ac corporc totoc crini*

fibi

bus demptis)cxcrefcerc wllos/ob id quod habiros in corporepilos quid bcftialcbrutalccp rcputant* Omnes tain viri qj mulicrcs fiuc rneando fiue cur* rendo leues admodum atcp vcloccs exifKIt:qm( vt
frequenter experti fuimus)in f^ etiam mulicrcs vn^ aut duas gcurrcre leucas nihihputat/ inhocnos chrifticolas multu prgcellunt, Mirabibtcr ac vltra

&

^ Gt crcdibile natant:muko quocp mclius fccminc

cp mafculi quod frequenti expcrimento didicimus cum ipfas eria fccmuias omni prorfus fufteatarni<?

nc dcficicntes duas in cxjuo re leucas pernatare per

fpeximus. Arma eorum arcus funt fagitt^/quas multu fubtiliter fabricate norunt. Ferro metallifc^
alijs

&

careatrfed pro fcrro beftiarum pifciumue den tibus fuas armant/quas ctiam(vtfortiores
fagittas

cxiftant)vna quocp fept pr^urunt.Sagittarrj funi certiCTimi.Itavt quicquid voluerint iaculls fuis fcri
ant:iionnullifc]j

in loc/s muliercs quocj;

optimf

fa^

veluti Ian gittatnces extant. Alia etiam arma habet clauas capita mi ceas.pra?acutafue fudes/ necno rificc hborata pocifTi'mu afTue

&

habcntes.Pugnarc

ii

funt aduerfus fuos alicnigcnc lingue confines cd

XLIX

NAVTGATIO
tra quos nullis parcendo(nifi vt eos ad acriofa tor/ tnenta refcruent)multum cradeliter dimicat* Etca

inpr^liumproperant fuas fecum vxores(non eorum poft eos neceffaria perlatu^ ligeraturas/fed ras)ducut/ob id qj'fola ex eis mulier tergo fibi plus imponere poflit /& deinde.xxx.xlve leucis fubue
here(prc*it ipfi (* pe vidimus)^ vir(etiani validus> a terra leuare queatNulla belli capita nullofue prg
fe<flos

habent/quinymmo(cu eorum quilibet ex fe dominus exteOnullo feruato ordine meant. Nulla

regnandi dotniniuue fuum extendendi aut altetius

inordinat^cupiditads gratia pugnant fed veterem foluin ob iniiniciciam in illis ab antique infitam: cu

iufquidem inimicicig caufam interrogati nulla alia nifi vt fuorum mortes vendicent antecefc (brum.H^cgens fuain libertateviuens nullic^obc diens nee regem nee dominu habet. Ad prliu autc
indicant

potilTimum animant accingunt cum eoru ho ftes ex eis quempiam aut captiuum detinent aut in
fe

&

teremeruntTuc em eiufdem
plateas

confanguineusfeniorquif^exurgens

captiui interemptiuc exitcito in

& vicos paffirn clarmtans inuitanfcg omes

pugnam fe accingunt atcp
repent

&{uadens vt cum eo in pr lium confanguinei (ui necem vindicaturi properentrqui omnes copaffio
nc moti mox ad
te in fuos inimicos irruunt. Nulla iura/nullamueiu

fticiamferuant ;malefa(flores fuos

nequaquampu

PR1MA
niunt/qwnyflimonec parentesfpfi paniulos fops edocent aut corripiunt. Mirabiliter eos inter fefe
conqueftionari nonnunc^ vidimus. Simpiices in la qucla fe o ftentant.verum callidi rnuitum at<^ aftus
ti

mum

funt.Perraro /&" fummifla vocc loquutur / cifdc quibus vtimur acccnribus vtcntes. Suas vtpluri* voces inter dentes labra formantes:alrjs

&

vtuntur vocabulis

matu varietates quonia

^ nos.Horuplurimf funt ydia

acentenario leucarum in ccntcnariii dmerfitatemlinguaruinfe mutuo nulla

tenus intelligenriu reperimus* Comeflandi modu valde barbaruhi retinent:nec quidem notaris man
<jucant horis/fed fiue nocSe fiue die quotiens

edea di libido fuadet.Solo rnanducantes accumbunt/3C

nulla mantilia nullaue gaufapa(culineaniT?nris pail nifcp ali^s careant) habencEpulas fuas atcg abaria
in vafcula terrea

quf ipfimct cpfingunt/aut in me^ dias cucurbitarum teftas ponuntjnretiaculis qui^

mitandi modum fuauem plurimumiudico.Etenjm Cum in eifdem eoru retiaculis mihi plerumcp dor* mitafle contigerit/in illis mihimetipfi melius cp in
tapecibus quas habebamus efTe perfenfi*

bufdam magnis ex bombice facfHs ill acre (ufpc fis donnitant afperi^ :qui modus cpuis infolitus or fortaflis videriqueat /ego nihilominus tale dot

&

&

Corporc

valde mudi fut et expoliti/ex eojj) feipos freqntaU

LI

NAVIGATIO
ffieTauantJEf cum egeftum irc(quod falua dixerirrt reuerentiaOcoacli font/ omni conamins nitimt vt a

ncminrpcr/pici poflinttqw quidem in hoc quanto lionefti flint tanto in dimitrenda vrina fe in mun*

dos fnuerecundofq* tarn mares cp foemin^ prcbetA Cum fiquidem illos nobifcum loqucntes &coram pofitos {uamimpudiciffimevrinain f^pius emin^ xifleperfpexerimus.Nullalege/nullu iegitimu tho
ti

fuis cSnubrjs obferuat/quinymmo quot deirt mulieres quot quifcp coatpifcit/tot habere ideillas quandocdc^ volet(abfq^ hoc cp id pro iniu
I

focdus

&

tia aut

opprobrio habeant)repudiarc potcfl:. Et in

hacfe vticp tarn viri cp mulieres eade Ubertare fiw untur.Zoclofiparu/Iibidinofi vero plurimu extat:
artificia vt infa magifcft fcemine_ cp mafculirquarum tiabili fugfatiflfaciant hbidini hie honeftatis

gratiat

fubticendacenfuimus.E^ paruu !is fcccund admpdu funt : necK du grauidc effecT^ autlabores euitant.Leuiffimo (untpenas minFocp dolore pariuntJta vt in craftinum alacres fanat^cp
vbicp ambulent^pr^fertimcp poft partu in flumen quodpiam fefe ablutu vadunt/tumcp fan^ mundt tf cp inde( veluti pifcis)apparent.Crudelitati aut a^

ipfg in generandis

odio maligno adeo deditf fut/vt fi illas fui forfitan

cxacerbauetint viri/ fubito certu quodda efBciunc
rnaleficiurcu
ris

q p ingeti ira

pprios F rus i^pprrjs vte

necat abortiutcg deindeicuius rei occafioe ifiniti

LII

PRIMA
eorum paruuTipeuant.Venurto 8f
tionc copaclocorporefuntltavt inilJis qin'tqua deforme nullo infjpici modo poflit Et quauis difr

nude ambulent inter femma amen earum/ pu<Ji* bunda fie honefte repofta funt vt nullatenus vide
t

riqueant prgterquam regiuneula ilia anterior qua Verceundibrevoeabulo pe(fhifculum ymu voca* mus quod &C in iUis vticp non aliter cp honefte na^ tura ipfa videndum rehquit Sed &: hoc nee quidc curant qm vt paups expediam no magis in fuoru vifione pudendorumouentcp nosinorisnoftn/ autvultus oftententatioe. Admiranda pervalde

rem diiecrent muliere in eis marrimillas pulpas ve laxas ant ventrem rugatu ob nimiu partu habentc cumomnes equa?integreac{blidepoft: partu fem per appareant acfi nucp peperiflent. Hee quidem
fenoftri cupientiffimas eflemonftrabant,

Nemw

neminhac gente legemaliquamobferuarevidi* mus nee quidem iudei aut mauri nuhcupari (bli^
de qneuut cuin ipfis gentilibus aut paganis mul^
to deteriores fint Etenirn no perfenfimus qp faerifi ciavllafaeiantautcploca orationifue domos ali^

quas habeant.horum

vita(

qu^ omiiino voluptu^

ofa efbEpycuream exiftimo illorum habitationes illorumdo^ fingulis ipfis (unt communes/ Ipfecp

mus campanarum inftar cofhucie funt firmiter ex

magnis arboribus folidatepalmaru foli)s defvpcr

LIII

contecTe SC aduerfus ventos

& tempeftates cutidl

ine nohullifej in !o eis tarn magng vt in fllaru vnica fexcentas e(ie pcrfonas inuenerimus Inter qua$ oclo popufofiffimas efle coperimus fie vt in eis efc
fcht habitarentcp paritcr animaru dece milia.Od:2 uio quolibet autfcptennio (lias fedes habitationef
tic tranfferut/qui cius rei caufam interrogati natu*

jralcrelponfumdederut dicentes q> phebi vehemS tis eftus occafiong hoc faceret ob id q> ex illoR* Ion relidenda aer inteclus cornw giore in eodem loco ptufcp redderetur qug res in eorii corporibus vari as caufaret ^grrtudines qu?quide eorii ratio no ma |c fumpta nobis vifa eft Eorum diuirig fiit variola
coloru auium plumg aut in modu lapillorum illor^ quos vulgariter pater nofter vocitamus lamirie fi^

uc calculi quos ex pifcium offibus lapillis ve viridi bus aut candidis fadunt hos ornatus gratia fibi ad genas labia vel aures (iifpendunt. Alia quoc^ fi

&

bus fatis eft quod naturaippnteiua propinat Au rum vniones iocalia cgteracp fimilia qugin hacBu*
ropaprodiuitqshabemusnihil extimantlmopg*
nitus (pcrnunt nee habere curant. In dando fie na^

habet qug nos omi noparuipendebamus*Comutatioibus aut merci monrjs in vendendo aut emendo nullis vtunc qut
milia futilia
diuitrjs

& leuia pro

vtnihilqnodab eis ex^ dando li^ pctacur abne<tit,Ec quejnadmodum

turaliter iberaliffimi font

LIV

PRIMA
mum potifli'mumqj amiciae fue fignum in hoc per
berales runt fie in pcterido 8c acdpienclo cupicliiTi mi poftcp fe cuiquam amicos exhibuerint , Maxi>

hibcnt q? tarn vxores cp alias proprias amicis fuis pro hbito habendas offerunt in qua re parens vter cp fe longe honoraru in exiftimat cum n at a eius &C fi viroinem ad concubitu fuum quifpiam dionatut * ^3 *^

&T abducit

mum cociliant. Varrjs in eoi^ deceflii

irt

& in hoc fiiam inter fe amidam poriffi^

mulricR mo#

dis exequrjs vtiftitur.Porro (uos nonulli

htimo cum aqua fepehut

& inhumane

demAos
illis

ad ca

put vicfhi alia ponentes quibus eos poflevefci 8C alimentariputantnullumdeinde^pptcr eos alhim plancflum aut alias cerimonias efficientes. Alrj qui bufdam in locis barbanflimo atcp inhumaniftimo

vtunturmodo.Quippe cu eorum que> piam mortis momento proximum autumant illu

fepeliendi
eius propinquiores in (iluaniingentemquamdant deferunt vbi eu in bombiceis retiaculis illis in qui#

bus dormitant impofitum

& recubante ad duas

arbores in aera fufpendunt ac pofhnodum ducflis

circa eu ficfuupenfumvna totadie choreis

imiente

iterim nocle

ei

aqua vicftucp aliu ex q/quatuor aut

circifdiesviuereqatadcaput apponut& deindc ficinibi folo pendete relicflo ad fuas habitatioes re deut quibus ita padis fi ifde ^grotus poftea madu bib at ac inde ad coualcfcentiam fanitatemc^ cet

&

LV

NAVIGATIO
redeat

& ad habitatione ^priam remeet

illu

eius

maximis fufcipmt cerimo fuut qui ta grande pretereant pc hrjs At perpanci liculu cu eos ibidem nemo poftea vifitet qui fi tuc inibi forfan decedutnulla aliamhabent poftea fe/ pulcura. Alios quocp complures barbaros habent ritusquoseuitande^plixitatis hicomitjimus gra* in fuis fnorbis tia, Diuerfis varrjfqp medicamibus
affines acpropinqui/cii

& fgritudinibus vtunt quf

fie

anoilris difcrepant

&T difcoueniunt vt miraremur baud paru quahtcr inde quis euadere poflet Nempe vt frequenri didi cfmus experientia cu eoru quempia febncitare co/' hora qua febris eum afperius inquietat ij5m tigerit
in frigentiffima

aqua immergut 8^ balneant pofl> modnrnqp perduashoras circa igncm validu(do nee plurimum calefcat)currre Sc recurrere eogut &poftremoad dormiendum deferunt quoqui* dem mtdicamento eoplures eoru famtati reftituf vidunus.Dietis eriacqiubus nibus quatuor vedie bus abfcpcibo 8^ potu perfiftunt)freqnentiffirnis vtunt. Sanguine quoqpfibiperfepe cominuut no
inbrachijs(falua ala)fedinlumbis &T tibiaru pul^ pis.Seiplos etiam ad vomitu cu cerris herbis qua$
in ore deferunt medicaminis gratia plerucp prouo cant 8 multis alijs remedies antidotifcp vtunt qug

longum dinumerare foret Multo fanguine multo^ 9flegmaticohumotehabundant cibaiiorufuorii

LVI

PRIMA
i

Occafioe qcxradicibus/fru<fhtus/Iierbis/v pifdbus faduntOrnni fanis granorucfc aliorum (e ininccarcntComunis vcroeorum paftusfiue vxV Ausarborea radix quedam eft qua in far rina fads

bona cominuunt

& hanc radicem qui dam

eorunt

jucha ali] chambi alrj vero ygnami vocitant. Alrj* carnibus/prgtercp hominu per raro vefcunt in qui bufquidem hominu camibus vorandis fie in huma inmanfueti vt in hoc omne feralem om* ni funt nera ve beftiale mo du fuperent. omnes em hoftes

&

fuos quos aut pcrimunt aut cap to s derinct tarn vi ros cp faaninas indiftindre cum ea feritate deglunV unt vt nihil ferum/nihil vc brutu magis dici vel iti
fpid qucat quofquidc fie eferos Imanefcp fore / va rqs in locis mihifrequentius contigit afpexifle rnif rantibus illis q> inimicos no ftros Tic quocp nequaf quam manducaremus, Et hoc pro certo maieftas
vcftra regia teneat Eo^t cofuetudines(quas
ter fatis enarrari
pluri-,?

mas habent)ficbarbare funt. vt hie nunc fufficien*

n5 valeatuEt qm in meis hi(ce bis
ac tant

geminis nauigat5ibus/tam varia diuerfacg a noftris rebus 8c rnodis differctia perfpexi Iddrf

co hbcllu quepiam (que quattuor dietas fiue qua# tuor nauigariones appello)co(cribereparauicon#
foipficp in quo

maiorem reru a me vifaruparte dj

ftinde facis/iuxca ingenioli rnei tcnuitate /coilcgi.

Ycriitamen non adhucpublicauiJfliHo vero qi5

LVII

NAVIGATIO
ornia particulariter magis ac fingillatim
fdctrco vniuerfaliahkfolumodo ,pfequens

tangents adna*

uigationem noftra priorern perficienda timer digrefTus fueram iam redeo,

I

a qua

pau

IN HOC NAVIGIi NOSTR1 PRIMORdio

eoi

notabiFcomoditatis res /no vidimufidcirco(vt opi

tior)C[?

lingu

n5 capiebamus prgtercp nonuU

la auri denotanria/quod nonulla indicia in tellure il la efle monftrabant

Heccine tfo tellus quo ad fui Ctu pofidonecj tarn bona eft vt vix melior queat* Cocordauimus aut vt ilia derelinquetes logius na*

wigatione^pducerenius^Qua vnanimitate fufcep^ ta/nos dehinc arida ipam colfaterah'ter femg fecia tes nccno gyros mftos fcalafcp plures circueuntes &C interim cu mFtis varf]fcp locoi^ illoru incolis c6
ferentiahabentes/tande certos poft aliquot dies portui cuidA applicuinmis/in quo nos grandi a peri cute aidtono fpiritui coplacuit eripere . Huius em

modiportu^piiniuintrogreili ftiimus populario ne vna eoi^hoc eft pagu aut villa fuper aquas( vt
Venetif)pofita coperimus/in qua ingetes.xx.edes aut circiter erat in modu campanaru vt pr^tacflum
tft effects atc]s fu^ ligneis vallis folidis

& fortibus

femiterfijndatg/pr^ quaruportkibus leuatkij p5 tes poitefti erant per quos ab altera adaltera tam

^ per copa&iffimam ftrata tranfitus eratlgif hu^

luTmodi populatois mcoig

^pprimu nos intuitu ita

LVIII

PRIMA
funt magno propter nos timorc affe&i funt/cjjob* tern fuos confeftim pontes omnes cotra no$ eleua

uerunt&fefe deinde in fuis domibus abdiderunt haud pais adml Q.ua rcm ^pfpedantibus nobis rantibus cccc duodea'm eorulintres vFarciter/ fin

&

gulas ex foio arboris caudice cauatascquo nauium generc vtunt)ad nos interim per ecjuor aduentare

confpeximus/quois nauderi effigiem noftra habi riic mirantes ac fefe circunos vndift recumferen _ s~*. res nos eminus alpiciebacQ^uos aos quocp ex ad uerfo profpicientes/plurima eis amicicig Ggna de* dimus/quibus eos/vt ad nos intrepidi accederent/
I
'

txhortabamur/quod tn efficere cotepferunt*Q^u5 rem nob is gcipientibus mox ad eos remigare incg
prmus/ qui ncquac^ rios pr^f tolari fuc quinyrmmo cnis cofeftim in terram fugeTt datis nobis intehm
i>pe &C \ linttibus iuuenoiP ^ fiiis vna fecu aflTQj>tis mox ^(us nos regrefi? pfacis C fut. Et poft h^c ex iuuecuPipis qtuor I finguf na
raueft/a
educfiis bis-ocflo
illos paulifper expecftaremus. fignis vt Ipi reuerfuri in monte forent,Tumc plo quenda

em exte

uiu nrai^ pofuert/que faciedi modu noshaud pai^j

admirati tuc fuimus/^put vfa.fatis gpedere pt ma*
ieftas.Ceteruq? cu lintribus fuis pmiflis inf nos na

nefq^ nraf comixti fut 8d nobifcu ficpacifice locuti fit vt fllos amicos nfos fideliflimos efle reputare-^

musjnfea xo ecce q^ ex domibuf Oi?pmeoraa?

c
iir;

LIX

NAVIGATIO
aduentarece<? per gens &nauibusnris iam pitquibusltaaduenientibuS nee tn proinde mali appropinquate incipienabus rurfu ad adhuc earude domo fufpkaremur quitcp ru eoJ* fores /vetul as nonulias cofpeximus qu^im manitervociferantes &codu magnis damohbus implentes fibf met/in magnf anxictatis indiciu pro prios euellebat capillos quires magna mali fufpe* Afonem nobis tune atculit Tumcpiubito fadu eft

non modica

mare natitans

Vt iuuencule ille quas in nfis impofuerantnauibus fnox mare^pfiletcnt ac iili qui in Hntnbus erant (e (c a nobis elongantes mox contra nos amis (bos
i

intenderent nof<^ duriflime fags ttanent *

Qui ^o

adomibuspcrmarcnatantcsaducnkbant

fioguli latentcs in vndis lonccas fercbant ex quibus eofU

proditione cognouimus Et turn no folum nofmet magnanimitcr defcndere veru etiam illos grauiter offendercincepimus Itavt plures eorum (afdios
pgii/5 cumftragceorunoparua pcrfregcrimus tusinponto fubmerferimus ^ppter quod rdiqui^
fafelis (uis

&

cu danino coru maximo relidis per ma^

re natantes omnes in terrain

fugemn t inter emptis

x eis.xxvelcnrcitcr vulneratis tfo plunbus ex noftris qui<$ dumtaxat lefis qui omnes ex dei gia
tiaincdumftanrcftitutifut Comprehedimus aute

&

fetuncexpretacfhs iuucncuh's duas

acdeluncdomos cci^ vifitaiurnus

&

& viros tres

idillas iatroi

LX

PR1MA
uimus veifc I eis quitqua(nifi vetulas duas et egro* tantem viru vnicu)non inuenimus.quafquidc eo* run! domos fgni fucccndere no voluimus ob id cj> cofcienti fcrupulu hocipfum efle formklabamus Pofthexrantemad naues noftras cu prctaclis ca> ptiuis quincp remeauimus eofdecaptiuos/pr#

&

tercp iuuenculasipfas/in compedibus ferrcis alliga uimus Ecde 5^0 iuuencule captiuoRzcp viroRz vnus perucnienti no<fle a nobis fubtiliflinae euafcrut his

vt re* itacp peraftis.Sequenri die concordauimus

licfio

portu illalongius fecundu collem procederc

raus percurfifc^.Ixxx.fere leucis gentem alia quam dam coperimus lingua &T conuerfationf p^nitus a
priore diuerfam Couenimufcp vt claflem inibi no ftram anchoraremus &: deindein terramipam/cu:
nauiculis noftris a ccedcremus. Vidimus autetunc
adlittus in plaga gentiu turbam.iirj. perfbnaru Vel circiter exiftcre qui cu nos appropriare perfen

M.

ferunt nequacp ncs pr^ ftolati funt quinymmo cun

<fds

qu^ habebant relicftis omnes

in filuas

& nemo

ra diflRjgerut Turn vero in terra profilietes/& via

vnam in filuas tendente /^ptus eft balifle iadus /g ambulantes mox tentoria plura inuenimus quf ibi dem ad pifcandu gens iUa tetenderat & in illis co*
piofos ad de coquendas epulas
ignes accende rat/ac,pfecT:o beflias ac pFcs variaiy fpecieiiii pifces iam aflabat Vidimus autc inibi ccitw aflari animal
(lias

LXI

NAVIGAT1O
quod erat(dcmptis alfs quibus carebat)ferpcnti
ifiillimu
ft

tamcp brutu ac filueftre apparebat vt cius no modicu miraremur feritate . Nobis vero per ea

dem tentoria longius ^pgredientibus plurimos hu

iufcemodi ferpetes viuos inuenimus qui ligatis pc dibus ora quoq? finibus ligata ne cade aperire pof

ne mor dere queant effici folet. A(pe<flu tarn feru eade pr^
fent habebat/^put

de canibus ant

Fen's alijs

feferut anirnaliavtnosillavenenofaputanres nul

fatenus auderemus cotingere.Caprcolis in

magni

rudinebrachio vero cu medio in longitudine ^qii* liafunc.Pedes longos materialefq; multu ac fortiV bus vngulis armatos necnon &T difcolore pelle di*
uerfilTima habet/roftru^ ac facie veri ferpetis ge^
ftatit/a quor?2

naribus vfcp ad extrema caudam fes ta qucdiiper tergu fie protendit vt animab'a ilia ve

quos in maripifcant efficiut .Primu em pifcicul6a ipfos inferuentl aqua aliquantifper excoquutDe? in panes ca Lide vero contundtmt copiftant

ros ferpenteseHeiudicaremus/&Tnihilominus ei^ gens jpfata vefcif. Pane fuu ges eaderrt ex pifcibus*

&

&

&randc glutinantqsfuperprunas indepoftea manducat/ hofquide panes Abates cjt bonos eflerepimus.Aliaquocp cprnFta etculeta ci>
infuper torret
bariacp tarn in fruclubus
ne^it

in varrjs radicibus reti/

q longu enumerare foret.Cum aut a filuis ad am^ *|s aufugerat no rcdirct niliil de rebus eoiscvc

LXII

PRIMA
denobis fecurifiereOauferre voluimus qul* nymmo in eifd eoi tentorijs gmPta de reculis no
plius

q peipedere poflent derelinquetes ad naues nras fub no&e repedauimus. Sequenti tfo
ftris

in lods

ex orfri dean inciperet infinita in littore gefl tc cxiftere gcepimus ad qs in terra tuc acceffimus*
die c5

Et ^uis fe nri tfmidos oftederet feipos tn iter nos

permifcucrut 8c nobifcu pra<flicare ac couerfari cu fecuritate cf perut amicos nros fe plurimu fore per firhulantes/infinuantefcp illic habitatioes eoifc not!
efle/veR2 q? pifcandi gra adueneracEt idcirco rogi tates vt ad eoi pagos cu eis accederemus ipi etefn

nos tamcp amicos redpere vellent ct h 2c quide dc

Jiobfs cocgperat amicicia captiuoR2 duoi^ illoi^(c]s tenebamus )occafioe/qui eoRi inimid erat Vifa ac

COR? magna rogadi importunitate cocordauimus* xxiij.ex n obis cu ilPi bono apgatu cu ftabili mentc

nue moriCu itac^ cogeret neceffitas)oes ftrg tres cu eis p bifcii per tres extitiffent dies
(fi

&

no

plaga

tcrrac^

ilia

exceffiffemus leucas/ad paguvnu nouc

dumtaxat domoi? venimus vbi cu tot tamcp ba& baris cerimonrjs ab eis fufceptifiumus vt fcribere
penna novaleat/vtputa cu choreis
tftibus hilatitate

& i^tida mixtis/necno cufertfuPcl

& catids

acpia?

barijG^ mFtis,Et ibide noAe ilia requieuimus vbi ^pprias vxores fuas nobis cu pi ^p3igalitate obtulc rut/q quide nos fie Iponue folidtabat vt vix eifdi

LXIII

NAVIGATIO
reGftere fufficeremus poftcp aut illic nocte vna cu media die perftitimus/inges ad mirabiPqp ppfs abf cp cuftatioe ftuporecp ad nos infpicicdos aducnit
(

qi feniores nos qcp rogabat vt fecu ad alios CORZ

pagoscqui ISgius in terra eraOcomearemus quod et quide eis anuimusHic dicfhi facile no e ^tos ipt nobis Ipcdef t honores Fuimus aut apud cpmftas
coi populatoes /per Ttegros

noue dies cu ipis euti

tes ob quod nobis nh' in nauibus remaferat retu q lerc foci) fe idcirco plerucp i anxietate timorecp no

minio exritifTe.Nobis aut bis noue ieucis aut circi ter i eoru terra exiftetibus ad naues nf as repedare propofuimus Et quide noftro in regrefTu tarn co * piofa ex eis virorii ac mulieru multitudo accurrit qui nos vfcp'ad mare profecuti funt/vt hoc ipfom mirabile forecCumcp nofhi quempia ex itinere fa dgatutricSdngeret ipfi nos fubleuabat &in fuis ffetiacufis i qm*bus dormitat ftudiofiffime fubuehe bantfn tranfitu quoc^ fluminu quf apud cos plurl ma funt& maxima/fie nos cum fuis artificijs fecu
r g tranfmittebat vt nulla vfcp pericula perrimefce^ timus;Plurimi ctia eoru nos comitabant reru (iia* ru onufti/quas nobis/dederat illas in retiaculis illis

qiubus dormiut vecflantes plumaria videlicet pr$

ditia'necno arcus multos/fagittafcp multas/ acinfl
tiitos

diuerfbrucoldrum pfitacos Alrj quoc^ com*

fua to ta fcrentes animalia etta piures fupelleftiiem

LXIV

Fortunatu fc FceKcemc^ putabat qui in tranfmean* dis aquis nos in colfo dorfo vefiio trafueflare pog
terat Quaprimu aute

ad mare perrigimtis

8>C

fafe^

!os noftros confcenderc voluimus in ipfo fafelotu noftroru afccnfu tanta ipforum nos comitantiu et

nobifcu afcendere cocertantiu ac naues noftras vi derc cocupifcentiu preflura fuit vt npftri Idem fafe

p^nepre pondere fubmergerenf/in ipfis aute no ftris eifdem fafelis recepimns ex eis nobifcru quof quotpotuimus ac eos adnaues noftras vfqp per> duximus Tanti eriam illoruper mare natantes vnanos c5comitantes aduenerut vt tot aduenta^
li

&

remole-ftiufcule ferremus cu fiquide pluref^ mil? Icin noftras naues licet nudi &T inermes introiuiD

fent/apparatum

Aft tune quiddam xmi dignu accidit Nam cu machmai^/tormentoru

ipfaru magnitudinem
q?bel!icoru noftroru quedaexonerare cocuperc*

aftificiucp mi'raiites

noftru necno

&

nauiu

mus et ^ppter hoc(impofito igne)machin

ipff hor

jidiffimetenuifTentpars illorumaxima( audito hu sufcemodi tomtruo)fefe in mare natitans percipu

tanit veluri (blite (iint ranein ripafidetes
taflis

qu

fi

for

tumultuolum quitqua audiunt fefe in ,pfun*

dumlutiiatitaturgiminergut /quemadmodum gens ilia tune fecerunrilliq? eoruquiad naues au* fadh *io# fiigerantcfic tune pertemu fuerut vt nos

&

ftrinofmetrephcnderemus.Veruillos

mox

fecu#

LXV

NAVIGATIO
ros efle fecimus nee amplius ftupidos eflfe permifl tnus infinu antes eis op cu talibus armis hoftes no#

perimeremus.Poftcp aut illos ilia tota die in nauibus niis feftiuf tracflauimus ipfos anobis abi euros eflfe monuimus qm feqnti no&e nos ab hinc abfcedere cupiebamus.Quo audito/ipi cu fumma amiciaa beneuolenriac^ mox a nobis egrefli funt. In haegente eoruc^p terra ^multos eoRz ntus vidi cognouiqp in quibus hicdiutius Imorarino cupio
firos

Cumpofteanoffe v^ftraqueat maieftas

in quauis nauigationu hai^

qualiter

m^ aru magis admiran* da annotatufp digniora cofcripferim acin libelJuiri

vnu ftilo geographico collegerem que libellu-qiia*
tuor dietas intitulaui 8^ in quo fmgula parncularif &(. minutim notaui fed hacflenus a me non emifi ob id q? illu adhue reuifere collationarec^ mihi neceflc
eft Terra ilia gente multa populofa eft ac mulris di nofths pauciflime fimilibus uerfiscp animalibus vndi<^ denfiffima.Deptis leonibus vrfis ceruis fui

&

bus capreolifcp

& damis qu^ & quide defonnita*

lem quada a noftris retinent equisacmulis afinifi cp &C cambus.acomni minuto pecore(vt (unuoues fimilia)neen5 &(. vaecinis armeds peiiitus caret/ verutamen ah)s ^ plurimis varioru generu anima hbuscqug no faale dixerim)habundantes (unt fed lamen omnia filueftna funt quibus in (uis ageridis

&

diuerfo^

LXVI

PR1MA
rurnmodoruaeeoloru permaruc|*
fiint

alitibus fecudi

vt idfitvifuenarratucp mirabile regio fiqui*

dem ilia muhum amena frudiferacp eft/film's ac nc

moribus maximis pleiia qua: omni tempore viret nee eorum vmrp folia fluunt, Frucfhis etiam innu^ noftris omnino difllmiles habent hec merabiles

&

cine tellus in torrida

lello
tis

zona fita eft direcTre Tub para*

qui cancri tropicu defcribic vn polus orizon^ eiufde fe.xxiij.gradibus eleuat in fine climatis fc

cundiNobisautinibi exiftcntibus nos coteplat5 populus multus aduenit effigiem albedinemcp no ftram mirantes quibus vnde veniremus (cifotanti bus e ccelo inuifende terre gratia nos de(cendi(Ie refpondimus quod &T vricp ipfi credebat in hac tel
lure baptifteria fontefiif facros plufes inftituimus in quibus eorum infinitffeipfos baptifari fecerunt
fe eoru lingua charaibi hoc eft magn fapientig vi*

ros vocantes Etprouindaipfa Parian ab ipfis nun cupata eft .Poftea aut portu ilium terramcp dere^
ter linquetes ac fecunda colle tranfnauigantes ram ipfam vifu femper fequentesJDccclxx.leucas

&

apomiillo percurrimus facientes gyros circuitu& c^ interim miiltos 8c cum gentibiis mukis conuer fames pracflkantefc^. Vbiinplerifq? loa's aii8J((ed

no in grandi copia)eniimus cu nobis terras illas re

perire .& fi -Et quia

auR2 foret rue fufficeret cognofcerc tuncxirjaajn menfibus in nauigationg nra

I eis

LXVII

NAVIGATIO
et naualia nra apparatufcg noftri to perfHteramus ti pen conlumpti crarit hominefcp labore perfra* IhComunem inter nos de reftaurandis nauicuHs

no ftris qu aqua vndiq? recipiebant&f rcpetunda hyfpania iniuimus cocordiam in qua dum perfifte rcmus vnanimitatf prope portii vnu eramus toti^
us orbis optima in quern cii nauibiis noftris intro

Euntesfgetemibideinfinkainucnimus qugnos

clt

maguamfcepit amieicia in terra auteilla nauicula vna cumrehquis nauiculis nojftrfs ac dolijs nouam fabricauimus ipfafc^ machinas noftras ac tormea
ter^ qu^in aquis viidicpp^neperibant ram (ufcepimus noftrafcp naues ab ei's exonerauiV mus poft hc in terra traximus et refecimus cor

tabellica

&

reximufcp&p^nitusreparauimus.In qua re eiu(V dem telitwis incole no pamu nobis adiuuamen ex# hibuere quinymmo nobis defuis victualibus ex
affecTuIargmfpont^fuafuere propterquod inibi per paucade noftris cofumpfimus quaquiderem ingentiprobeneplacitoduximus cumfatis tenuia tunic teneremus cum quibus hyfpam'am nofrram

no (nifi ind{gentes)re|3etere potuiffemus. In portu

autillo.xxxvij,diebusperftidrnus frequentius ad populationes eoru cum eis euntes vbi fingtili no>

non paruum exhibebant honorem.Nobi$ aift portum eundem exire nauigation^ noftra reflex
fcis

&

ftereconcupifcentibus concjuefti funt iiligetilem

LXVIII

PR1MA
quamda valdeferoce & eis
infeftam exiflcre/qui
ccrto anni tempore per viam man's in ipfam corii terra per infidias ingreffi nunc ,p d ito rie/nuc g vim

cpmultos eoru interimcrcnt manducamitcp deinf de.Alios^o in fua terra fuafcp domos capriuatos
ducerent/contra quos ipi fe vix defendere poftent nobisiiifmu antes genteillam quamda inhabitare infula qti I mari leuds centu aut circiter erat. Quai

rem ipfi nobis cu tan to

affeft u ac

qu criruonia com
crede^
eflfc

memo rauerut vt eis ex condolentia magna

remus/^pmitteremufcjp vt de rands eos vindicate*

&/ fefenobifoim venturos fponte fua propria ob

tul erut /quod

mus iniur^s/i^pter quod ilii (cctantcs no parii

plures

ob caufas

acceptare recufauif

mus dempcis feptmi qnos data condmcme recaps mus vt folt in fuis linthbus I propti&remearet/ qsn
reducendoru cor a cur i fuftiperc nequaqua intent debamus cui condition! ipfi cpgraranter acquieue rut.Etitaillos amicos noftros plurimu cffe&os dc reUnquetes ab eis abceffimusReftauratis aiirrepa
ratifcp

naualibus nodris/fepte pcrgyru mans(vcn

|6 infgrccu 8c leu ante nos ducente) nauigauimus

Poft quos plurimis obuiauimus inflilis quanfi quide a% habitat^ alig 5^0 defert^erat.Haru igitur Vnitande appropinquates &C naues no (Iras inibi fifterefatiemes /vidimus ibidem cpmaximu gen^ its aceruu quiinfularailla Ity nuncuparcnt quibus
dies

LXIX

NAVIGATIO
oV nauiculis phafelifqj? nofiris vms vali dis &Tmachinis tribus fh'patis terr eidem viciniug appropiquates.nl], C.viros eu mulieribus c^mltis iuxtalittus efTe confpeximus qui vt /deprioribus* habitu eft oms nudi meantes/corge ftr^nuo crat/
profpcclis

necno
tis

bellicofi

fiquide orris

armis

plurimu validiq? apparebant/cum fuis arcubus videlicet &T fagit^

lanceifcp armari efTet/ quorum quoqp cSplureS fcuca gerebat qbus fie opor parmas etia

qdrataue

tune

fefe

pmuniebat vt eos

in aliquo
terrgipfi
fefe

no impediret. Cumc^ cu phafelis

^tus
eftfagittf volatus

iaculadis fagittis fuis noftris

appropiaffemuS

oms citius in mare^pfiliemnt 8t infinitis emiflis (a^

contra nos ftrcmie(nein terra defcende^ repo(Temus)defendere occepert.Oms vero p co r pus diuerfis coloribus depi&i &: varrjs volucrupc
gittis

nis ornati erant/quos hrj qui nobifcu venerat afpiV

ad prfliandu paratos eflequotieicun^ <$ fie picti aut auium plumis ornari flint nobis infi nuerut Jntantii aut introitu terrg nobis impedieit vt faxiuomas machinas noftras in eos coacli fueri mus emittere/quaR2 audito tumultu impetucftvifo necno ex eis plerifcp in terra mortuis decidiflr pro
cientes illos

fpeclis/oms interra
cor_dauimus cxilirc

reccperunt Tumc^ facflo inter nos cpnfi!io*xlrj,de nobis in terra poft cos co

fefe

& aducrfus eos magno animo

LXX

PR1MA
pugnare quod cxT quide f^ciinus* Na tu aduerfum
terram cu annis noftris profiluimus /cotr* fie fefe nobis oppofuertvtduabus ferme ho epilli
illos in

cotinuuinuice gefferimus beUuVpter id cp de eis magna faceremus vicloriatn dcmptis eoru prrpau
lis

cis

quos baliftarrj colubrinarfjcp noftri fuis

intere^

mcruiit telis quod idcirco fta eflfecflu e quia feipfos a nobis ac laceis cnfibufc^ noftris fubtiliter fubtra*
hebat.

Verutamen tanta demu: ineos incurrtmus

violentiavt illos cugladrjs mucronibufcK noftris cominus attingeremus .Q^uofquide cu pienfiffent

omes in fuga per filuas &T nemora conuerfi (unt/ac

nos campi
vid:ores(interfeclis ex eis vulneratifcp

pIurimis)defenierunt.Hos auc pro die ilia longio/

refuganequaquainfequivoluimus/ob idq? fati^ nimiu tuc efTemus quinpotius adnaues nras gati cum tanta feptem illorumqu^ nobifcum venerant remeauimus la?ticia vt tantum in fe gaudium VIJT
ipfi fufcipe poflent.

Sequeti aut aduetate die vidi

musperinfulam ipfam copiofam gentium appro

pinquare cateruain cornibus inftrumentifq? alrjs quibus inbellis vtunturbucdnantem/qui &: quo^ quedepifti omnes ac varrjs volucru plumis orna# ti erant*Ita vt iutueri mirabile foret quibus perc^ ex cofilio vt rurfu nos deliberauimus inito inf ptis
fi

gens hfc nobis inimicicias pararet/nofniet

orris
rj

LXXI

NAVIGA71O
Irt

vnu Cogregaremus videremuiip mutuo femper

ac interim fatageremus vt amices nobis illos cffv ceremus /quibus amiatia nofrra no rccipienubps Utos quafi hoftes traftaremus/ac quotcjuot ex eis

coprehenderevaleremus feruos noftros acmana piapcrpetuafacermus/& tuncarmatiores vt po tuimus circa plaga ipfam i gyru nos collegimus.Il*

IiVcrO(vcputoprgmachinaru noftraru ftuporc) ttos in terram tune minime ^phibuerunt exilere.Ex

iuimusigiturineosintcrram quadrifariam diuifu decurione fuu fequentes/&T cu eis Ivfj.viriliniguli longu manuale geflunus bellum. Verutarnen poft diuturnampugnaplurimucp certamen necno in> terc^nptos ex eis multos/omnes in fuga coegimus ad vfcp populationceprum vnamprofecutiHii mus vbi comprehenfis exeis.xxv.captiuis eandc orum populatione'igni cobuffimus infuper ad naues noflras cu ipfis.xxvvcaptiuis repedauimus

&

&

interfeftis

exeademgente

vulneratifqp plurimis/

ex nns aut interepto dutaxat vnofed vulneratis. xxij.qui oes ex dei adiutorio fanitate recuperaue^ rut. Cetera autrecurfu ipatria p nos deUberato or
dinatocp viri feptem illi qui nobifcu Jlluc venerant quoru quinq? in pr^mifib bello vnlnorati exritait phafelo vno in infulaxlla atrepto cii oaptiuis fepte

(quos illis tribuinaus) tres videlicet viros quatu OtmuUcres in terram fua cu gaudio magno

&

LXXII

SECVNDA
gna vmu noftraru admiratione regfefl?fut.Nofc hyfpanie viam fequcntes Caliciu tandem reperiui

mus portu cum. CQxxij.captiuatis perfbnis.xw Oclobri$ die Anno drUM.cccclxxxxix.Vbi l^tiffi

me fufcgm fuimus/ac vbi eofiie captiuos

no ftros

vendidimus.Et hec funt qug in hac nauigatio e no? ftra priore annotatu digniora cofpeximus*

DC fecundarif naufgatiois curfu

VANTVM AD SECVNDARIB me nauigation curfum & ea qu in

is

ilia

moratu digna confpexi /dicet in fequen <J tibus,Eandcm igic incho antes nauigatio item Calitium exiuimus ponu Anno dm M.cccc Ixxxix.Maij die.Q^uo exitu fa<So nos curfum no* Arum Campiuiridis ad infulas arripientes necno ad inlularum magn^ Canarif vifum tranfabeun^ tes in tantu nauigauimus vtinfulg cuidam qu^ ig^ nis infula dicic applicaremus/vbi fadla nobis de h>
gnis 8c aqua ^puifione &C nauigationenoftrarur* film g Lebecciu vetu inc^pta eftPoft enauigatos

quada noua tande tenuimus/quam quidc firma exifterc cenfuimus cotra ilia de qua fa ftamiuperioribusmedo eft/8^qu? quideterraia zona tomda extra Uneam ^quinocTialem ad pang
xix.dies terra

Aujfln fita c fupra qua mciidionalis polu$

fc. v.ex

LXXIII

NAVIG ATIO
alrat gradibus extra

quocfeuncp clima" diftatcj

dem terra a prcnominatis infalis vt perLebeccium

ventu c6ftabatleucisccccdn qua terra dies cu no ft&ms fquales.xxvrjJunrj cum fol in cancri tropic co eft exiftere reperimus *Eande terra in aquis 01* no fubmerfam necnon magnis fluminibus gfufam efle iuuenimus/qu et quidem femet plurimu viri# dem et proccras altiffimafcp arbores habente mon ftrabat vnde nemine in ilia efle tune perccpimus* clafTem noftra anchoraui Turn vero coftitimus

&

mus folutis nonnullis phafelis cu quibus.in terram ^fam accedere tentauimus.Porro nos aditum in il
fem queretes

&

drciJi

earn %pius gyrantes ipahi vt

pr^tadii eft fie fluminu vndis vbicp perfuiam VM uenimus vt nufcp locus effet qui maxiinis aquis

no immadefceret* Vidimus tn interim per flumina

Epfa figna cpmultaquemadmodu ipfa eadem tellus incolis mFtis ff cunda* At ^ihabirata eiTet ea

&

qm

de figna cofideraturi in ipfam defcendere nequie^ bamus/ad naues nras reuerti cocordauimus quod Sc quide f^cimus.Q^uibus ab hinc exanchoratis/
Seroccu ventu/ collateralit poftea inf Leuante lecundu terram( fie (pirante vento) nauigauimus/
pertentantes fgphis interim pluribus ^p.xl. duranti bus feuds fi inipfam penetrare inftrlam valeremus

&

Q.ui tabor ois inanis extirit* Cu fiquide fllo in late re maiis fluxii qui a Serocco ad Magiftrale abibat
4;

violenul copcrerimus vt idem marc

k nauigabi

LXXIV

SECVNDA
JenSprgberet Quibus cognftfs fac confilio facto couenimus/vt naiiigiu noftru re ad Magiftrale refle&eremus, Tumqj fecudu tet ram ipam intatu nauigauimus vt tande portui vnl
applicaremus/ qui belliffimainfulam beilifltmicp iinu quendam in eius ingreflu tencbat / fiipra quc nobis nauigantibus vt in illu introirepoflfemns in* menfam in infula ipfa gentiu tutbam a man quatu or leucis aut circiter diftate vidimus .Cuius rci ^a
l^tati

no paru exridmus.Igic paratis uauiculis nris vt in eande infula vaderemus lintre quad! in qua j>

fon^ complures erant ex alto mari venire vidimus ;ppter quod tuc couenir nus vt eis inuafis ipos co#

prchendcremus Et tuc
,

in illos

nauigareingyrum

(ne euaderepofTent)drcudare occcpimus/ quibus fuaquocp vice nitenubus vidimus illos(aura eem^
perata mancte)remis fuis olbus furfum ereclis qua li firmos ac refiftentes fe fignificare velle/qua re fie

vt itide nos in rab'onem couerteret. Cu tfo ftbi nos co minus

idtirco illos efficcre putauimus

pinqre cognouiflent remis fuis i aqua couetiis ra >^fus remigare icepef* AttS nobifcucarbafu vna
adv.dolioru volatu celenimii educebamus/qug rue

nautgio delata eft vt fubito ventu fu^ cos obcf nereUCumcp irruendi in illos adueniflet comodi*
tali

las ipG bfe apparatucp fuu inphafelo fuo ordinat?

fpargetes/fequp<^ad nauigandu acdnxeft* ItacJ cu cos prjtcrrjfTemus/ipi conatifut. At not

fugere

iu>

LXXV

NAVIGATIO
nonullis tuncexpeditisphafelis/validis viris ft/pa tis illos tune coprehendere putantcs mox in eos in fere horis / nobis currimus contra qs bis

geminis

nitentibus/nifi carbafusnoftraqu^curfu
terierat

eospr^
peni*
noftris

rurfum fuper eos reuerfa

fuiiTet/illos

tusamittebamusCumveroipfife eifdem
phafelis carbafocp vndicp circif,xx.erat &T a terra rent orns

conftriclos eflTeperfpice duabus fereleu

cis

diftabat/in mare faltu ^pfilierunt *Quos

nos cu

eis phafeh's noftris tota^pfequentesdie/nullosex

nifi

tantumodo duos pr^hederepotuimus alijsoT^

bus in terram faluis abcuntibusjn lintre autceoru

quam deferuerant bis gemini iuuenes extabant no

de coram eente geniti fed quos in
teliure alien* ra f puerat/quoru fingulis ex recenti vulnere virilia ab fadcrant/qu^ res admirat/one no paruamnobis at

tuIit,Hos autern cuin noftras fufc^piflemus naui^ culas nutibus nobis infinuarunt quemadmodu flli

cos ab ipfis manducandos abducerent/indicantes

interim quod ges h^c ta effera crudelis/hiianaru carniu corneftrix Cambali nucuparelPoftea aut

&

nos ipfain eoru lintrem nobifcum trahentes/8^ cu nauiculis noftris curfum eoru terra verfus am'pien tes paruper interim coftitimus S>C naues nfas me#
dia tantu leuca a plaga ilia diftates anchorauirnus/ plurimu oberrare vidiflemus in

cjuamcupopulu

illam cum ipfis nauiculis noftris fubito prop eraui*

LXXVI

SECVNDA
mus ducKs nobifcum duobus illis quos in lintre a
nobis inuafacoprehenderamus. Qua primu aute terrain ipfam pcde contigimus orns trepidi 8 fe*
ipfos abdituri in vicinas

nemoru latcbras diffuge*

illis

runt , Turn vero

vno ex

quos prfhendera*

mus abire

permiflb 8t plurimis illi amicicig fignis necno nolis cymbalis / ac fpeculis plerifcp datis/di

ximus eine ^ppternos c^teri qui aufugerant expa^ uefcerent/qm eoruamicos efleplurimumcupieba
iuflanoftra foleftcrunpleuit gen^ teflla tota.cccc. videlicet fere viris/aim fommi's

mus /qui abiens

multis a Gluis fecu ad nos eduflis, Q.ui inermes ad 5ios vbi cum nauicdis noftris eramus omnes venc

mnt/& cu quibus tuc amiciciambona firmauimus

reftituto

quem & pariter eorum lintrem quam inuaferamus p na#

quoc

eis alio

captiuu tenebamus

uiu noftraru focios apud quos erat eis reftitui man dauimusPorro hgceoru Imter qu^ ex folo arboris trunco cauata niultu fubtiliterefFeclafuerat/lo^

&

ga.xxvi.paffibus et fata duobus brachijs erat,Hac cu a nobis recuperaffent tuto i loco fluminis re

&

pofuiflent oins a nobis repente rugerunt nee nobi fcum amplius conuerfari voIueruntQ^uo tarn bar

baro fafto comperto illos mala? fidei rnafgcg con^ duta ditionis exiftere coguouimus. Apud cos auR2 xar, pauculii quod ex auribus geftabant vidimus,
Itacj plaga ilia reliila 8c fecundum cam4 nauigatis/

LXXVII

NAVIGATIO
|xxx.drdterkuds ftatidnequanda nauicufis ttrta feperimus/in quamintroeutes tantas inibi coperi* Itius getes vt id mirabile foret .Cu qbus facia ami cidaiuimus ddndecu eis ad plurcs eon* pagos vbi mfcufecuretnrtucphonefl^abds fufccpti fuimus ab cis lcerimccccc vnioncs vn ica nola cmfmus cum auro modico quod eis ex graria cotuli'mus. In hac terra vinu ex firudHbiis (emetibufcp expreflum Vt dceram cemifiamue albam et rubente bibut/me lius aut ex myrre pomisyalde bom's cofeAu erat

&

exquibuscumulas^bom's

alfjs

jftii(flibus

guftui

comedi^ mus/^pterea q> tepeftiue illuc aduenetamus .H^C cade infulaeoifc rebus fuppellecfliliue cpmultu ha#
(apidis &C corpori falubribus habudanter

bundanscft/genfc^ipfabongcouerfatioms &C ma ioris padficerig eft cp vf^p: alibi repererimus alia.In hocporhi.Kvij.diebuscuingenti pladto perftiti* mus vcnietibus quo tidie ad nos populis mftis nos albedinem necno veftimenta cffigiemc^ noftra nauiu noftraru magnitudine ad^ armac^ noftra

&

&

tnlrantibus. Hi) etianobis

gentem quanda eis infe

ftam ocddente >Hus exiilere retulerunt/qu^ gens inftnita habebant vnionum quancitate/qt q^ quos
ipfi

&

hafaebant vniones eifde inimids fuis in bellige ratioibusaduerfuseoshabitisabftulerat nos qcp queadmodu iilos pifcarenf &C queadmodu na^

(cemrfedocentes/quoru dida vera,pfeiloefleca

LXXVIII

SECVNDA
gnoufrmis ,put et maieftas vra poftfigc amplnis fo telligerepoterit.Reli<floautportu illo& fecundS plaga eande in qua cotinue gentes afflucre ^pfpidc bamus curfu noftro ^pdu(fco portu quenda aliu re* fidedg vnius nauiculf noftr^ gra/in quo gctc niu I* ta efle coperimus /cu quibus ne vi ncc amicida co
lierfatione obtinere valuimus/illis
fi

qn^p

in terra

cu nauiculis noftris defcenderemus fe cocra afpere defendentibns/&r fi qnc nos fuftinerc n5 valeret in uluas aufijgientibus/ &T nos ncqua^ expeflanti nos tanta barbaric bus/quoR2 cognofcentcs ab eis cxhinc difceffimus.Tunccp inter nauigandu infulS quanda in man leuds a terra.* v. diftante vidimus

quam fi in ea populus quifpia eflet

inuifere cocor^

dauimus.In iliam igif aecelerantes quanda inibi in/

nenimus gentem/qug olm beftialilfima fimplidfli^

tna<^/ omniu quoqj gratiofiffima benigniffimacg
crat/cuiufquide gentis ritus et mores eiufmodi fut*

dufHem gentis rim & moribus.

II

WLTV AC

GESTV CORPQ

h
pittas

brutales admodum'extant/ finguliqj maxillas herba quada viridi I trorfum re*

sis

habebat/qua pecudum inftar vfcp mrnina^ bant/iravt vixquic^ eloquipofTenr/quoruquo*

i^finguliex collo pufillas ficcatafcp cucurbitas du as/altei'am earum herba ipfa quam in ore tenebar>

alteram veto cxipds farina quadam aibidagipfo

LXXIX

NAViGATIO
mutuo finiili plf nam gerebant/habi to bacillo quo

dam que in ore fuo madefaftu maftkatum q?

fepi*

us in cucurbitam farrina repleta mittebant/&: dein de cum eo de eadem fanina extrahebat/ quam fibi

pofthfc inorevtmmcpponebant/herbam ipfam qua in ore geftabant cade farrina refpergitado/ 8

hocfrequeiitiflime paulatimqp efficiebat/qua

rem

caufam fecretuc^/autcur itafa^ ceret fans nequiuinus copr^hedere* Heccine gens (vtexpenmentodidicimus)adnos adeo familiari*
nos
admirati/illius

teraduenic/acfi nobifcu fepius antca negociati fu* iirent&iong^uaamidciahabuifrcnt. Nobis aurc

perplagamipfamcueis ambulantibus colloquen^

tibufcp 8^ interim recentem

aquam bibere

deiide*

rantibus/ipfi per figna fe talibus aquis penitus ca* rere infinuantes vitro de herba farinacp quam in

ore geftabant offerebant/propter quod regionem candem aquis deficientem q> cp vt finm iuble uarent fuam herbain farinam taiemin ore g
ret intelleximus. Vnde fa<flum efl vt

antibus

&

nob is ita circu plagam candem vna die cum

diailioscocomitantibus viuidam

aquam nufcpin

uenerimus/cognouerimufq^ q? ea quam bibebant aqua ex rore nocfhi fuper certis folios auhculis afini
Gmilibus decidete collecT:a erat.Q^u^quidem folia eiufmodi rore nocflurno tpe fe implebat ex q rorc
<qui optlus e)ide ppFs bibebac/fed
tfi

talibus

LXXX

SECVNDA
plera t$ corn loca deficiebant,Heccine gens viflu* alibus qu^in terra folidafimt penitus carcnt quin*

ymmo

ex pifdbus quos in man pifcantur viuunt*

jStenim apud eos qui magni pifcatores cxiftunt pi

fcium ingens habundat copia/ex quibus ipG pluri

mos turtures ac cpbonos pifces alios

plures/vlrro

nobis obtulerunt.Eorum vxores herbaquainorc viriipfi gerebaiit nuf^ vtebantunVerum Cngul^ cucurbitam vnam aqua impletam ex quabiberent

habebantNul!os domorum pagos nulla ve tugu

gens h^c habent pr^tercp folia grandia quedam fub quibus a folis feruore fed no ab ymbribus fe,p
ria

tegunt/propterquodautumabile eftqp parumin terra ilia pluitet,Cum aute ad pifcandu mare adic*
tint folium vnuadeo
sus-effert

vt

illo

in terram defixo

grandefecumquifa pifcatu ad folis mea^

&

turn verfato fub

fe

illius vmbra aduerfus e_ftutotum abfco dat,Haceinc in infula qjmulta varioru ge<? nerumanimaliafunt qu^ omniaaquam'lutulenta bibuc Videntes aut q? in ea comodi nihil nancife e remur/nos relidla ilia alia quamda infula tenuimus in quam nos ingredientcs &T rcccntem vndebibe^

renius

eandem terra a nullis

in ea nemine inter

aquainueftigantes/putantes interim rpfam efle habitatam/propterea q>

aduenicndum^fpexeramus/du

per arena deambularemus vefh'gia pedum gna nonulla vidimus /ex quibus cefuimus q>i

LXXXI

NAVIGATIO
dem pedibus reliqua membra
in terram ducente coperimus

refponclebant/ ho*

mines in eadem terragrandiffimi habitabant.No* bis aiititaper arenam deambulantibus/via vnant

fecundum qttam.ix,
inuifere

denobis elites infulamipfam

parauimu>
czi

ob id q> non cpfpaciofam

illam neccpmultas in

habitare gentes exiftimauimus.Pererrata igitur (c cundu eamdem viam vna fere leuca quinq^ in con
valle qnadamcqu^ populatg apparebant)

vidimus

cafas/in quas introeuntes quinqj in illis reperimus itiulieres/vetulas videli cet duas &Tiuuenculas tres

^uequidem oms fie ftatura^ceres erat vt inde val de rniraremur, Hg aut protinu$ vt nos intuitg funt adeo ftupefadg permanferut vt aufligiendi anima
pcnitus deficerentTumcp vetulf ipfe lingua eoru nobifcam blandiufcule loquentes/et fefe omnes in tafam vnam recipietes pmulta nobis de fuis vi&tr

aUbus obtulerunt Eedern ^o oms longidi'mo viro 8^ quide ^que grandes-vt ftaturagrandiores erant nos (umus ^p Franafcus de Albicio/fed meliore

portioecompadl^Q^uibusita comperris pofthgc vnacouenimus/vtiuueculis ipfis per vim arreptis easinCaftiliamquafi readmirada abduceremus/ in qua deliberatioe nobis exiftentibus ecce.xxxvu Vcl orciter viri mfto^ f^minf ipf^ a!tiores/&T adeo
illos infpicere dekftabile foreC rgtegie copofid/ vt

cafani ipfaniintroire

occeperut/^ppter quos

LXXXII

SECVNDA
tuc affefli fuimus tutbatioc vt fatius apu<! riaufcu* las nfas cp eu tali gente effc duxiflemus. Hrj &Tem
irigentes
lie

arcus

& fagittas nccnon & Aides gricafc

ferebant/quifngrefiilo*

magnas

inftar clauaru

quebantur quocp inter fe mutuo ac u nos

eomprc

Iiendere vellet.Q^uo tali peiiculo pcrc^pto diuerfii ctia fter nos tuc fgcimus cofilia* Vnis vt illos I ipia

eadccafamuaderemus/alrjsyo nequaqp fed foris i potius platea/& alijs vt nufcp aduenus eos pu gnam qucreremus donee quid agere vellet Itellige remus aiTeuer an tibus. Inter qu e cofilia cafam ilia & mulate exiuimus &T ad naues nras remeare occcpi mus ipfic^c^tus efllapidis iadhis)mutuo fp loque tes nos infecud funt/haud minore cp nos vt autu* mo trepidantes formidine/cunobis mirantibus ipi quocp eminus manerent/ nifi no bis ambulanaV bus no ambularent.Cu )^o ad naues noftras perti^ giflemus &Tin illas ex ordine Jtroiremus/mox ocs in marepro{itierunt/& c^multas poit nos fagittas fuas iaculati fun t /fed tuc eos ppaucu me tuebamus Nam turn machinaru nfaru duas in eos(potius vt terreref qj vt Itetiret)emilimus /quaruquide tumul

&

&

tu gcepto/oes cofeftini in mote vnu ,ppiquu fiiga fibiert/etitaabeiserepti fuimus difceffimufcp pif Hrj oes nudi vt de poribus hltu e eunt. Appefiaui*
tnufcp ifiila flla/gigatu(ob jDceritate eoi^)Ifula.No bis atvtfius et a frapaulo diftatiuftrafremigatibus

LXXXIII

NAVIGATIO
fepiiis

id q> fere vellent.Et vticp quids repet unde. Caftillic; g* pofitum iam nobis in mentem fubierat/ob id potif

iritefdum cum eis pugnafle nobis aca'dit ob a cjuiccp telluf e fua fibi tolli nequaqua permit

fimum

cj^vno iam fere anno-in tnati perftirer amus necniQ tenuem sdinientorS neceffanomq? alioru

munitioneretinebamus , Q^u^ quide adhuc CK vehementibus/quos pjemileramus foils caloribus ab exitu noftro ia cotannhata fnquinataep-erac/cu tune infolis a Campiuiridis cotinueper tom> vk^

&

dam nauigauiffemus zonam/& tranfiiemni per li

neam ^ quinoclialcm bis/vc prchabitueiLIn qua
quidem voluntate nobis perfeuerantibus/nos a la bohbus fubleuarenoftris fan<fhfieo coplacuitfpiri tuiNempe receptu quenipiam pro rurfum nouan dis nauali bus noftris nobis qucrentibus ad gen*
tern

quamda peruenimus qug nos eu maxia fufcc^?

pit

amiciaa/& quafquidem vnionu perlarii ve ori cntalium comperinius innumero maximo tcnere/

^ppter quod^xlvij.diebus ibiperftitimus 8^,C.xix;

vnionu marchas/preclo( vt eftimabamus).xl noiv

(uperante ducatos/ab
eis

eoparauimusNa nolas/

fpecularia/criftallinofcp

nonuilos/necno Icuiffima

cleAri folia qu^da/eis tantu ^ppterea tradidimus* Nempcquotquotquilibeteorum obtinerct vnio nes cos fola nola donabat.Didicimus quocp in^

terdiimabeis

quomodo&

v.biillos pifcarentur/

LXXXIV

nafciinf ttobfe q\li&f quidemofti'eolasihquibus nonnullas funt.Et mercati fui pariter plures largiti mus/vbi in quibufdam ,C.&" xx)f.vniones in qm*

bufdam vero no totidem

reperiebant*

Nouentc

maieftas veftra/q* nifi permaturi fint aconcht* in quibus gignunt per fefc cxcidant omnme,^ irjs
fecfli

&

no funt. Q^uinymmo in breui( vt fepius

ipfe

expertus fum)emarcefcut/& i nihil reda(fHfut.Cu vero maruri fuerint in oftrea ipla inter carnes( prg
tcrid cpipfis carnibus hereant)fe feparant/ &C b\i' iufcemodi optimi fut^Efluxis igit,xlvi).diebu8 nee

non gente ilia quamnobis plurimu arnica efffcera mus relicfla hinc ab eis exceffimus ob plurimaium
rerum noftraru indigentiam/venimufcp ad And^ infuiam qua paucis nuper ab annis Ciiftopho glif rus Columbus difcooperuit in qua reculas noftras ac naualia reficiendo menfibus duobus & diebus
totide

permanGmus /plures interdum Chrifticola*

rum

contumelias perpetiendo quasprolixus ne nimiu fiam hie omitto.Eande >^o

inibi conuerfantiu

infulam.xxrj.lulii deferentes/percurfa vniiis

fis

men^

aim medio nauigatione

Septembns

vifjanenfis

Caliciu tandem porru fubinimus /vbi cum ho no

re jpFeAucp fufcf pti fiu'mus.Et fie per dei placittim

finem noftra eepit fecunda

nautgatio.

De textio fafta nauigatione

LXXXV

NAVIGATTO
EIN SIBILLIAJEXISTENTE/ ET
in

a pcenis atcp laboribus quos Iter pmemo

ratas pertulera nauigationcs paulifper re

cjm'efcente/dcfiderateCppofthgcin perlaru terram

remeare:fottuna fatigationu meaRznequacp adhue

fatura fercnifiimo
illi

dno Manueli Portugalli^ Re

vt deftinato nuncio gf mifit in cor(neftio vt quid) me ad fuas trafmitteret litteras quibus plu^ regales ad eu celerius me vt Lifbona apud limurogabat
mirabilia mihi plurima faceret; tranifcrre/ipe etem Super qua re nondu tune deliberaui quinymmo ei

minus bene difpofitu per eundemmet nunciii/ cC tune male habere fignificauu Veru fi quandoc^
recoualefcere &C maieftati eius regif

me

meum

forfan

cSplaceret obfequiu omnia qu^cunc^ vellet ex ani

rno perficere.Q^ui rex percipies q? me ad fe tuc tra

ckicere nequire lulianu Banholomeu

locundu qui

tune in Lifbona erat rurfum ad me deftinauit cum comiffione vt oibus modis me ad eunde rege fecu perduceretr^ppter cuius luliani aduentu et preces/ coaclus tuc fui ad regeipum meare/ quodcqui me nouerant omnes)malu effe iudicarunt Et ita a ftilia vbi honor mihi non modicus exhibitus
terat/acrexipfeCaftilig exiftimatione

deme

nam

conceperatprofe(fhjsfum/& quod detenus

Riit hofpite infalutato/ ac

mox coram ipfo rcge do

ir\ino Manuele mcipfum obtuli;qui rex

LXXXVI

TERTIA
turnco non paruam vifus eftconc{pine"fceticfam plurimu me interdum rogitans/vt vna cum tribufc tius coferuanti nairibus/ qu ad exeundum ad

&

nouarutcrraniminquifitione prparat erant pra ficifci vellem* Et ita( quia regum preces prgcepta funtUdexus vouunconfenfk

Tcmpus ptofcAionis terdg

IG1TVR AB

HOC LISBONB PORTV

tun tnbus conferuanti^ naiubus clic Mai] deaV maMccccc.&pri'mo abeuntcs /curfum noftrum verfus magn^ Canarif infufas anipuimus: fecun^

duquas

& ad eatu profpecflu inftanter enauigates

tdemnaui^iiinoftru cotlatftalitcr fecundu AffnV cam occidente ^fus fecuti fuimus Vbi pifciu quo^

TundamcquosParghi nuncupant)mulutudine ma ximam in gquo re pfendidimus /tnbus inibi diebus mofam faaentes Exinde autertl ad pattern iilarti
.

Ethopi^/qug Bedlicca did? deuenimus/ qug quide

fub torrida 2ona pofita eft/ fuper quam xiiij; fe Septemtrionalis erigitpolus in climax gradibus ce prime vbi diebus.xi,nobis de lignis aqufcpto Auftru ^ Itifioneparantesreftitimus/^ppteridcp

&

&

fus

g Athlanticupelagus nauigandimihiirtefletaf
illu

Eeilu5tltaep portu Ethiopi^

poft h^c relinquen c ij

LXXXVII

NAVIGATIO
tcs ftHiCpffJ-ebeociu ventii in tantu nauigawmw vulx^et, vfyinfra dies infuif cuidam applicuetrmus

qu infulaDCCaportu eodem lends ad Lebeecrj pane diftarct .In quibufqnide diebus/ peius ppefc G tepus fuimus cp vn^ in mat quifcp an tea pertu^
i

lerir

^pp^ ventoru niitiboruue jmprtus/^iu ^;plu^ rJma nobis intulere' grauamina ex eo cp nauigium
noftrulinegpr^fenim equinocfliali corinue iuncflu

menfe lunio hyems extat ac dies no* ftibus e_quales funt/atcp ipfgvmbrcnr^ continue verfus meiidiein eranuTandem vero omnitonan li placu/t noua vnam nobis oftendere plagi. xvij
fiut.lnibicp in
fcilicet

Augufb/iuxtaquam(leuca fepofiti ab cade cum media )rcftuimus/et poftea afltunptis cymbis

nonulli$ n ipfa vifuri fi inhabitata effer ,pfe<fh ftiio quide incolas plurimos habitare ret musrquam

&

perimus qui
introitus

beftijs prauiores erat/

queadmodum

noftn principio gencem non perccpunus aliqua/c^uis oram ipfam per figna plurima( quj vi dimus)populo multo repl^ta effe incellexerimus*

maieftas regia veftra pofthgclntelliget,lDhoc >^o %

De qua<]uide ora projpfo ferenilTimo Caftili^

rc#

gepofleflTonu Cpinius/iuunimufc ilia multum amoen^/ac vcrid^ efTe&T apparent^ bone. Eftau^ ic extralineanifquinoifhaleni Auftnun verfus ,v
gradibus/et ica eadem die ad naues noftras repcda Uicnus.Q^uia vero lignorum 8C aqu^peuuriam pa

LXXXVIII

TERTIA
tiebarmir/concordauimusiteruin terra altcradie reuerti vt nobis de neceflarrjs >uideremus: inqua quidem nobis extantibus/v idimus ftantes in vruV us momis cacumine gentes qu deorfumdefceck* tenon auderent/ crantcp nudi omnes necno confj milis effigiei colorifcp vt de fuioribus habitu cfc Nobis aut fatagcntibus vt nobifcu conucrfatu ac* cederet/ no ficiccuros cos cfficere valuimus vtde nobis adhuc no diffiderent.Q_uoru obftinatioe^p

teruia^cognita/adnaues fubnocflc rem^auimu^

reiidtis in

terra(videntibus

illis)nolis fpcculifcp

no

nullis ac

rebus alqs.

Cucp nos

in

man eminus. efle

profpiceret/oms de ipfo mote(^ppter reculas quas cehqucramus)defcenderunt plurima inter fe admj

rationis ngnafacientes.Nectuncdealiquonifi

de

aqua nobis ^puidimus.Cr aft ino ajute eflkcflo mane vidimus e nauibus gcntcm eandcm numero ^ an
tea malore paffim per terram ignes fumofcp fade^ iem, Vnde nos exiftimantes q? nos per hoc ad fe in uitarentiutmus ad cos in terram/vbi tuncpopu!u plurimu aduenifie cofpeximus:qui tamen a nobis longe feipfos tenebant/flgna facientes interimno nulla vt cum eis interius in infula vaderemus. Pro pter quod faclu eft vt ex Chrifticolis nris duo jpt linus ad hocparati periculo ad tales eundi fenicw ipfosexponerent/vtquales gentes eedemforcnt/

aut fi quas diuitias (pedefuearomaticas vllas habc

iij

LXXXIX

NAVIGATIO
pent/ipfi

cognofcerentrquapropter

in tanttt iiauiii

prtofemrogitauerunt/vteis quodpoftulabat an ntteret.Tum veto illi ad hoc fefe accingetes necno

fuis minims fecti fumentes/ vi in plerafcp de rebus eifdem mercarent alias /abierut a no* de a

gentibus

bis data conditione vt ad nos poft quincp dies ad

fuinmuremearefoliciti e(Tet / nos etenim illos tarn

expecSaremus, Et ita tuc iter fuum in terra ar ri puerunt/ atcp nos ad naues noftras regrefTum c<* pimus vbi expecftando cos diebus vii] , perftiti ^ tnusjn quibus diebus gens per multanoua dietint fere ad plaga ipfam adueniebat / fed nufcp nobifcu
idiu
ill

colloquivoluerutSeptimaigicaduentate die nos terram ipam iteru tendentes /gente illam mub'e^
(lias

res

omnes fecuadduxi(IereperimusQ^ua ^o

primii illucpenienimus/mox ex eifdem vxoribus (ills ad colloquendu nobifcu cpplures mifefunt/ fie

minis tamen eifdem non fatis de nobis co nfident i^

busrquodquidemnos attendentes cocordaitimus Vt iuucnem vnum e nobis(qui validus agififcp ni^

mium eJTet)ad eas quocp trafmitteremus/ &T

ftras introiuimus.Q^uo egreflb iuuene

tune

vt minus fanning egdem metueret in nauiculas no^

cu feipfum
inter flias ininiifcuiffet/acil!^ omnes circumftantes

eum/&T propter eum no contingefentpalparentcp panim admirarentur : e<:ce interea de mon te fsemiV

navna vallum magnumanugeftans aduenit

quae

xc

TERTfA
poftcp vbi iuuenis ipfe erat appfopiauit/tafr eu val tiiui i<fhi a tergo percuflit vt fubito mortuus in ter

ram excideret:que confeftim mujieres alie.corripiV entes/fllu in monte a pedibus ptraxer&t/viricj? ipfl qui in monte erat ad littus cum arcubus fagittis

&

qui bus eratharcnanauigando radebat/neccclenf au fugere tune poterant) vt (umendoru armorum fuo

acjuenietes BC fagittas fiias I nos cofjcietes talrgctc noftra aftgcerut ftupore(ob id q> nauicul^ fll^ I

rummcmonam nemo tune haberet.Et itacpplu*

TCS cotra

nos fagittas (lias eiaculabantur. Turn vc

r
r

ro in eos quatuor machinarum nojOrarum-fulmina licet neminem attingeda emifimus / quo audito to
mtrtio

omnes rurlum in monte higerunt /vbi mu#

lieres ipf<

erat/qug iuuene noftrum quern trueida* uerant(nobis videntibus)in fhifta fecabant/nccna

/ad ingentem quem fuccenderant} ignem torrebaut/& deinde pouhaec inanducabiit, Viri quoc^ ipfi figna nobis Cmilitet iacientes/ geminos Chrimcolas noftros alios ft
fruftaipfa nobis oftentantes

pariformiter perepiifle manducaflecp infinuabant

quibus qui& vticp veraloquebantur/inhocipfb credidimusCuius nos improperi] vehementius pi gujt/cum inmanitatcm quam in mortuum exerce^
baat/ocyh's intueremuripfiprpprijs *Quamob* de nobis in anirao fta# remplures <$

quadraginta

biliueranius vt omesparitcr terrain ipfam

impetu

XCI

NAV1GATIO
tarn tmmane faftu tamcp beftialem fero/ perenres cia vindicatu vaderemus.Sed fioc ipfum nobis ju ita tam ufprf tor no permifit/& magna ac tarn

gfi

Dem iniuria pafli cu maliuolo animo &T grandiop*

probrionoftro(effitietehoc nauipr^ceptore nfo) impunitis illis abceffimus^Poftcp aut tenant illam

rcliquimus/mox IterLeuanteet Seroccu ventum (fccudiiquos fecorinetterra)nauigare occ^pimus plurimos ambitus plurimofcp gyros interdum fe? Mantes /quibus duratibus gentes no vidimus qu^ fiobifcu pracfticare aut ad nos appropinquare vo# hierint.ln tantu ^o nauigauimus vt tellurem vna ttouac qu fecundu Lebeccm fe porrigeret) inuene rimus.ln qua cu campu vnu drcuiuiflemus(cui fan ?H Vincenti) campo nomen'indidimus) fecundum

Lebecdu venm pofthfc nauigare occgpimus. Di^ ftatcp idem fancfti Vincentfj campus a priore terra
ilia

cis

vbi Crifhcol^ tioftri extitert interemptucU leu ad partem Leuatis. Q^ui et quide cankpus * vfi]

gradibus extra lirceam fquinoclialem verfas aw^ ftru m eft Cum igit ita vagantes iremus/quada die copiofam gentiu multitudinem/nos nauiumcp no ftrarum vaftitate mirantiu in terra vna alia efle co fpeximustapud quos tuto in loco mox reftitimus 8^ deinde mletram ipfum ad eos e x nauiculis nof ftris defcendimus/quos quidem mitioris eflfe con^
ditionis
cj;

priores reperimus.Nam

&G in edomi*

XCII

TERTIA
dis
illis

diu elabotaiunius/amicos

Umc no ftros cos

tandem effedmusrcum quibus negociando prafcte candoc^varicv.manfimusdkbusvbicauas fiftu*

plurimu groflas/&: etiam ndnullas in ar boru cacuminibus uccas tnuenimus, Concordaui^ mus aut vt ex eadem gente duos qui no s eoru lint guam edocerent inde traduceremus.Quamobrem vcnfrcn t nos vitro co tres ex eis vt in P o rtugallia
las virides
$

mitati funt.E t

qm me omnia pro fcqui ac defcribe*

node maieftas q> nos por turn dlum linquentes/per Lebecciu ventu/& in vv
re piget/dignetur veftra

fu tcrrf Temper tranfcum'mus plures continue faa'^ endo fcalas plurefcp ambitus /acintcrducu multts

populis loquendordonec tandem verfus Aufhrum extra Capicomi tropicu fuimus . Vbi dig horizon
tailiumeridionalis polus.xxxt].fe(eextollebat gra

dibus / at<^ minorem iam perdideramus vrfam/ipa t$ maior vrfa multu infima videbaf fere in fine Ho hzontis fe often tans :& tuc per ftellas alterius me
ridionalis poli nofmetipfos dihgebamus /qu^mul to plures mftoC^ niaiores ac luadiorcs cp noftn po
li (tell?

exiftut rpropter quad pluri maru illaru figu

ras confinxi
ris

/& prgferum earu qu^ prioris ac maio

magnitudiniserant/vna cu declmatione diarne troru quas circa polum Au ft ri effiaunt/&: vna cu denotadone earudem d iarnctioru &! fcmidiarne^
troru earum proutinmcis quatuor dietis fiuenaui

XCIII

NAVIGAT10
gid

poteritHoecine # gationibus infpici hoftro a campo fan<fh Auguftini incepto.Dcc.

facile

peromimus ieuoas videlicet yfus ponentemcJel

verfus LebecciiLDcquafqiiide'du peragraremus Bquis qu vidimus eiiumerare vetlet non totidem

Nee quidem interdum inuenimus comodi res demptis infinitis ca^ magni
ei papire<art

fufficerent ,

fi^arbohbusJetpariterplurimis qu^ laminas cer^

miranda alia per gas producunt/cu quibus ea vidimus qu^faftidiofaretefitu forent.Et inhac

&

muk

quidem peragratioe,xferemenfibus extitimus. In

quacognito q? mineralia nulla repericbamus/con uenimus vna vt ab inde furgetes alio p mare eua* garemur.Q^uo inito iter nos confilio/ mox edi<5Hi
fuit ac in

omnem cftu noftru vulgatu vt

quicquid

in tali nauigarione pr^cipiendu ceiiferem idipfum cofeftim edixi mada Jtegriter fieretPropter quod
tiicp

Ditioneomnes fibipararentc Nam pernauiu ma^ tantudem giftros nos cum nauibus noftn's adhuc
xerain)fa(fi:a

vbic vt de lignis

& aqua ,p fex menfibus mu

nauigare pofle indicatu eft)quaquidem(quam edi prouifione/nos oramillilinquetes &C

initi

indc nauigauone noftram per Seroccu ventu

antes Februarrj ,xiij videlictt/cum fol ^quinodio

iam appropinquaret et ad hoc Septentrionis hemi

fperiu noftru ^geret ia tantu peruagatf fufmus vt

moidianiipolu fuper hohzootailluJij.gradibus

XCIV

(iiblimatuinuencrimus Jta vt necminora vrfgncc

niaioris ftellae

ammodo infpici valerencNamtuc

a portu iilo a quo per Scroccum abieramus *cccce

longe tarn facti eramus.it). videlicet Aprilis*' Qua die tempeftas acprocelia in man cam vehe* snens exorta cft/vt vela no ftra omniarolligere SC
leucis

cum folo nudocp malo remigare copdleremur per flante vehemenriffime Lcbeccio ac man intume*
fcete

acre turbulentifllmo extante.Propterquc turbinis violenrifTimu impetum nofirates omnes

8>C

non modico
(p tune inibi

afFecfli

fuerunt ftupore. Nocftes quo-?

cpmaxime erant,Erem Aprilis. VT].fo^ ie circa atietis fincm extante i'pfct ecdem no&es ho
farum.xv.ene repert^ funtrhyems cp etia tuc inibi
erat vt veftra fan's pcrpedere poteft maieftas. bis autem fub hac nauioatibus turfaulentia/terram o

No

vnam Aprilis.rj.vidimus penes quam. xx. circiter

leucas nauigantes appro piauimus

Vcruillamorn

nimodo brutalem

extraneam efle compcrinius nee in quaquidem portu quempiam necgente* all quas fore cofpeximusrob id ( vt arbitrorXp ta a(pc rum in ea fiigus algeret vt tarn acerbum vix qui& quaperpeti pofleLPorro in tanto periculo in tan*
repeti tacp tempeftatis importunitate nofmet turbine nos vi jnus/vt vix alteri alteros pr

&

mm

grandi

dcremus.Quamobrem demum cum nauium pr^*

toreparitercoaicordauiinus vt connauitis noftxis

xcv

NAVIGATIO
fcrnmbus/tenam ilia linquendi/fe ab ea efongan di/&in Portuigalliam rcmcandi iigna faceremus Quod cofiliu fanu quidcm etvtilc fait/cum fi inibi
nocfte folu adhucilla perfh'tiflTemus difperditi eramus.Ncmpccuhinc abijflfemus ta

oms

grandis die

lequenti tempcftasin mari cxa'tata cft/vt penitus obrui perditc mctueremus*Propter quod plurima peregrinationu votanecnon alias ^plures cerimo Tiias(ptout nautis mos cfTe folet)tunc f^cimus.Sub quo tempeftatis ifortnnio. v nauigauimus diebus demifTis omnino vehs.In quibufquidem.v, diebus ccet.Lin mail pcnetrauimus leucas/Iineg interduirt (quinodiali nccno mari 8c aurg temperatiori fcm^ per apptopiinquando/per quod nos aprfmifli's eii
s

deo placuitEratcp huiufce modiftoftra nam'gatio ad tranfmontanu ventu &C id latus q> ad Bthiopi^ pcrtingere cupic^ gr^cu/ob bamusra quo gmari$ Athlantici fauces etindo M;
perepcriculisaltiffirtio

^cc diftabamus

leucis,

Ad ilia auc

per funimitonan

rfegratiamMafj b<squina pettigimus die.Vbi in plaga vtia ad latus Auftri( qu^ Serraliona dfcitut) xv diebus nofipfos refiigerando- fuimusEt.poft bft curfum noftrum veHlis infulas Lyazori dicflas arripuimus/qu^quide ihful a Serfaliona ipa Dcc^

&Lkuds
ttmus

difbabartt/adquas fub lulij'finejn per?

Uenimus/&: paritet.x vinibi nos refi'tiendo perftfr

XCVI

bone no fire recurfum nos acdnxirntis/a qua adoc

ridentis partem.cccfepofitileucis eramus/ctcufus tandem deinde portum.MLD.rj.cu profpera falua*

tione ex cuncfh'potentis nutu rurfum fubmimus/cS duabus dumtaxat nauibusrob id cj> tertiain Serra*
lionacqin amplius nauigaren5 pofTeOigni com^ bufTeramusJn hac aute noftra tertio curia nauiga^ tionexvi.cirdC6r menfcs permafimus/e quibus^xu*

abfcptranfiTidntan^ftell^necnon S>C maioris vr( minorifue afpecflu nauigauimus/quo temporc nof

mctipfos per aljiam meridionalis poli ftellam regc^

bamusQug
dem

fuperius

commemorata

funt/inea^

noftra tertio

fadanauigatione relatu magis

dignaconfpexi*

Dequartgnauigationis curfu

ELIQVVM AVTEM EST VT

/

qu

in tertia

nauigatione noftra profpe*

xerim ediflera. duia ^o ia pr lohga nar ratione fatifco/et quoq? h^c eadem noftra nauiga tio ad fperatum a nobis fine miniine produdla eft/

ob aduerfitatem

infortuniuue

quoddam quod

in

maris Athlantici nobis accidit finuridcirco breuior

fiam.IgiturexLifbon portu cumfex coferuaruig nauibus exiuimus cu propofito infulam vnam vet (us horizontem pofitam inuifendi /qu Melcha dl
f
if)

XCVII

NAVIGATIO
multaru famofa necno nauium ornniu flue a Gangetico fiue abx indico man veni* cntiumreceptus (Tuc ftatio eft/quemadmodu Ca*liciareceptusfiuc hofpitaleomniu nauigantiu eft qui ab oricntc in occidenre &f ccOnuerfo vagantur prouc de hoc ipfo per Calicutig via fama eft* Qug quidem infula Melcha plus ad ocddente Cali curia ^O ipfa plus ad meridiem rcfpicitrquod idcirco co^
cftur &f diuftiarum

gnouimus quiaipfain afpe<flu.xxxir). graduu poll antatclici fita eftDecima ergo Mai) die. M. D,irj nobis vnde fupra egrcdiennbus airfum noftru ad
infulas virides nuncupatas primo dixerimus Vbi return ncceilariaru munimina necnon ct plura di#

uerforamodoru rcfrigcramina fumentes et.xrj. in* terdum inibi diebus cciTantes/pcr ventum Serocu poft h^c euanigare pccf pimus:cu nauidominus no
ftertamcp pr^fumptuofus capirofufcp prater necef omniu noftrum vnanimitatem(fed folu fitatem vt fefe noftri fcx nauiu pr^pofitu oftentarcOiuf fit vt in Serrlliona Auftralem Ethiopie terram ten deremusv Ad qua nobis accelerantibus &f ilia tan^dem in cofpecflu habentibus tam immanis &C accr<?

&

&

bafubortatempeftaseft/ac vennis contrarius 6C

fortuna aduerfa inualuir/vt in iptam(quan^noftris ipfi videbamus oculis)per quatriduum applicarc ncm valudrimusrquinymmo coacfti fuerimus vtilla
ftlida ad priorem nauigationc Jioftram

regrederc

XCVIII

QVARTA
pet Suduefium( qm ven* tus eft inter meridiem et Lebecdu ) reafiumentes cccperillam maris artitudine nauigauimus kucas Vnde fa&u eft vt nobis extra linearn squino&ia* lem tribus pene gradibus iam tune exiftentibus ter
ra

munQuamquidem nos

quedam(a qua.xrj.diftabamus leucis) apparae* rit/ qu apparitio n5 parua nos afFerit admirationc Terra etern illa/infula in medio man multu alta 8C vna admirabilis erat/qu^ leueis duabus longior dilatatior no exiitebat in quaquidem terra nuqui quifq? hominu aut fvierat aut habitaueraty&'rjihilo minus nobis infccIieilTima fuit.In ilia ern p ftolidii confiliu fuum regimen prefedus nauium nofter

&

&

natiem fua perdidit. Nempe ilia a feopulo quodam chfa/8(r inde ^>pter hoe in rimas diuifa fancfti Lau^
re tij nocf^e(quc Augufti.x*eft)in mari penitus {ub merfa cxtitit/mhil inde faluo manente demptis tan

tumodo nautis.Eratc^ nauis eadem doIioriLcccan qua noftrf totius turbe totalis potentia erat Cum aut omnes circa illam fatageremus vt fi forte ipam
a periculo fubtrahere vakremus:dedit mihi in man datis idem nauium prefecfrus/vt cu uauicula vna in
receptu

quempiam bonu vbi pupes noftras fecure

in^

omnes recipere pofTemus ajpud inlulam eande

uentu pergere /nolens tamen 'ipfe idem prefeclus vt nauem raeacquenouem nauris mcis ftipata/ 8d
in nauis periclitanus adiutorio intetaforet)mecu f

wj

XCIX

NAVIGAT1O
f unetradiicere/fed

folu vt edixerat pottu ynum in

qoifituirem /et hi tllo

nauem mea ipfam mini

reftf

mum

tnerat.Quaiuffionereccpta/ego vt madauerat(fu pea mecu nautaru meoru medietate)in infula ipam (a qua.mj.diftabamus leucis)propcrans/ pulcherri intbi poit5/vbi claflem noftra omne tute fa* tis fufdpcrepoflcmus inueni . Quo coperto. viij*: ibidem diebus eunde nauiu pr? fecflum cu reliqua turba expeftado perftid.Q^ui cu n5 adueniret mo
lefte no penim pcrtuli/atcp qui

mecu erant fie ob# ftupefcebant vt nullo confofari mo do vellent.No

anguftia/ipa
ocflaua die

bis aut in ha<: exiftentibus

puppim vnaper ^quor aduentare coipcximus/cui

vt nos percfpere pofTent mox obuiam iuimus con fidcntcs fperatefcpvna quod ad meliore portu quc piam nos fecu duceret.Quibus du appropinqui& femus/8 vidffim nos refaluta(Temus:retulerut illi nobis/tiufde pr^fedH nh' nauc in mari penitus( de^

qug nucia ( vt coteplari vfa pot regia maieftas)me no parua aflfecef t mole ftia/cu aLi{bona(ad qua reucrti habeba)^M.lbnge exiftens irotis in longo rcmotoc^ mari me efle fen tirenxNihilominus tamen fortung nofmet (ubijaV entes vltmus ^pceflimus/reuerficp Tprimis fuimus md memorata in&iia vbi nobis de lignis aq in co
ptis nautis)gdita extitiflc:

&

feruatif mef naui i5uidimus:Erat 5^0

eade

ilula

pe
dC

uitusinhofpitataihabitatac5/mR:aaqua viuida

Q.VARTA
fuaminilfafcaturiente/cum
infinitfs

aAoribus in^

numerif^volucribustnarfnis &terreftribus/qu adeo fimpliccs cram vt fefe manu comprehend!

intrcpide permitterent.Piopter quod tot tucpren didimus vt natacula vnam-ex fllis adimpJeuerimus

In ea an te nulla alia inuentmus animalia ptercp

mu

res cpmaxirnos/et lacertas bifiircanicaudamhabe tes cum nonuilis ferpentibus quos etiam in ea vidi

mus.Igiturparahtnobis inibiprouifione fub VCH* Lehecciu ducete perreximus to inter meridiem

&

obid q? a rege mandatu acceperamu s/vt qtialicun <^ non obitante periculo pr^cedentis nauigationis viam in fequeremur. Incepto ergo huiufcemocB na om^ viigio portum tandem vnuminuenimus que. fandcoru nium Abbaciam nucupauimus/ad quern annoente nobi^auram a!tiffimo)infra (profperam
xvtfperdgimus dies^Diftatq^idcmpdttusjocc.ap fata infuia leucis /in quoquide portu nccpreiccSimi noftru nee quemqua de turba aIiumTepttimus/8c ft tame in illo mcnfibus duobus diebus quatuor expeAauerimus/ quibus efluxis vifo cpillue nemo

&

veniret conferuantia noftra tune

ego cocordaut mus/vt fecudu latus longkis progfcderemur. Per curfis itarp.ceJx.leua's (jprtui cuidam alij apph'cui

&

mus in quo caftellum vnu

erfgere

propodicmus/

quod& quide^)fedlo fetimus rdic3hisiiiil!oxxurj Chhfticolis

nobifcumcxiftenhbus/quiexpre&dli

ci

NAVIGATIO
oftrf pupe perdita collecTi fuerant.Porrt) in code

poitu prcfatu coftruendo caftellu &C brefilico pu* pes noftras onuftas efficiendo.v.perftitimus men fibus/ob id q> pr nautaru perpaucitate et plurimo ru apparatuu neceffitate logius ^pgredi no valeba firms. Quibus fuperioribus ita peracfh's concordat

uimus poft hgcin Portugalk'am feuerti/quam tern

pergr^cu tranfmontanuqj veiitum neceffe nobis erat cfficere.Relicflis igitur in caftello pr^fato Chri
fticolis.xxiii].et

cum illis.xrj.machinis ac alrjs pluri

illius

bus armis vna cu prouifione pro fex m^nfibus fufr

fidente/necno pacata nobifcum telluris
te(

gen* de qua hie minima (it mentio,licet infmitos ini>

bi cue viderimus/ct cum illis pracSicaucrimus. rxLfere Icucas cum.xxx.ex eis in infulam ipfam pe^ tietrauimus. Vbi interdum plurima peripcximus

Na

quj nunc fubticefcens hbdlo mco.iiij.nauigationG rc(eruo.Eftcp cadem terra extra linea ^ quinoclia^ lemad partem Auftri.xviij.gradibus 8^ extra Lifi>
fcone meridianu ad ocddentis partem. xxxv.prouc

inftrumentanoftra monflrabant)nbs nauigatio^ rem noftraper Nornordenfium(qui inter grgcum tranfmontanucp ventus eft)cu animi propofito ad ad hanc Lifbon^ ciiiitate^fiafcendi iniciantes/taa dem poft multos labores multaqp periculain hunc ciufdle Lifboncponuifra.lxxvrj.dies. xx virj. lunr>.
M*D,iirj.cum

da laude incroiuimus.Vbi honoriP

en

Q.VARTA
credibile feftiiif fufcfpti firf* C* muftu vltracp.fit fnus:6b id q> ipfa tota ciuitas nos in man difperdi>

&

f os eflc cxiftimabat/queadmodu reliqui omnes

de

prgfumptio^ tKexdtcrat.Q.uo fuperbia modo iufhis omniu ce for deus copenfac Et ica nuc apud Lifbona ipfam fubfifto ignorans quid dc me ferenifTimus ipfc rex
pfe(fli
.

furba noftra p

nri nauiu ftulta

iam exnunc rcquielcere plunmu pcroptarem/ hue nunciu maiefbti veftr^ plurimu quo cp interdu c5 Americus Vetpu uus in Lifbona^ mendans*

atantis iabotibus meis deinceps efBccrccogiret/g ~ r^ .1

ii

fi?

2 *T S O

n S"

r^i

Si 3f
II ^
r^
^.

B
2
*t

2
r
*

Si

Rnitu.vij.kP. Maij

Anno fupra fefqui

o 3

ll

cm

"

INTRODUCTION TO COSMOGRAPHY
WITH CERTAIN NECESSARY
OF

PRINCIPLES

GEOMETRY AND ASTRONOMY

TO WHICH ARE ADDED

THE FOUR VOYAGES OF AMERIGO VESPUCCI

A
REPRESENTATION OF THE ENTIRE WORLD, BOTH IN THE SOLID AND PROJECTED ON THE PLANE, INCLUDING ALSO LANDS WHICH WERE UNKNOWN TO PTOLEMY, AND HAVE BEEN RECENTLY DISCOVERED

DISTICH
Since

God

rules the stars

and Caesar the

earth,

Nor

earth nor stars have aught greater than these.

TO MAXIMILIAN CAESAR AUGUSTUS

PHILESIUS, NATIVE OF
Since thy Majesty
is

THE VOSGES

sacred throughout the vast world, Maximilian Caesar, in the farthest lands,

Where

the sun raises

its

golden head from the eastern

waves

And

seeks the straits

the

known by Hercules' name,

its

Where Where

midday glows under

burning rays,
;

the Great Bear freezes the surface of the sea

And

since thou, mightiest of

mighty kings, dost order

;

That mild laws should

Therefore to thee in a
has been dedicated

prevail according to thy will

spirit

of loyalty

this

world

map

By him who

has prepared

it

with wonderful

skill.

THE

END.

32

PREFACE
TO HIS MAJESTY MAXIMILIAN C^SAR AUGUSTUS

IF

it

in life

not only pleasant but also profitable to visit many lands and to see the most
is
is

distant races (a fact that

made

clear in Plato,

Apollonius of Tyana, and

many

other philos-

ophers, who went to the most remote regions for the purpose of exploration), who, I ask, most invincible Maximilian Caesar, will deny
pleasant and profitable to learn from books the location of lands and cities and of
that
it
is

foreign peoples,

Which Phoebus

sees

when he

buries his rays be-

neath the waves, Which he sees as he comes from the farthest

east,

Which Which

the cold northern stars distress, the south wind parches with its torrid heat, Baking again the burning sands ? (Boethius.)
I

Who,

repeat, will deny that it is pleasant profitable to learn from books the manners

and

and

33

Preface

customs of all these peoples?

Surely

to express

my own

opinion

just as
it

it is

worthy of

praise

to travel far, so

can not be foolish for one

the world, even from maps alone, to repeat again and again that passage of the Odyssey which Homer, the most learned of
poets,

who knows

wrote about Ulysses:

Tell me,

Muse, of the man who

cities

after the

capture of Troy Saw the customs and the

of

many men.

Therefore, studying, to the best of my ability and with the aid of several persons, the books

of Ptolemy from a Greek copy, and adding the relations of the four voyages of Amerigo Vespucci, I have prepared for the general use
of scholars a

map of

the whole world

like an

introduction, so to speak

both in the solid and

projected

on the plane.
to

This work
to

have

your most sacred Majesty, since you are the lord of the world, feeling certain that I shall accomplish my end

determined

dedicate

and

shall

be safe from

the

intrigues

of

my

enemies under your protecting shield, as though under that of Achilles, if I know that I have
satisfied, to

some extent

at least,

keen judgment in such matters.

illustrious Caesar.

your Majesty's Farewell, most

after the birth

At St. Die, in the year 1507 of Our Saviour.

34

SINCE no one can obtain a thorough knowledge of Cosmography without some previous
understanding of astronomy, nor even of astronomy itself without the principles of geometry,

we
1

shall in this brief outline say a

i )

few words

the elements of geometry that will be helpful to a better understanding of the material

Of

sphere
2) ( (3) (4)

Of Of Of

the meaning of sphere axis, poles, etc. the circles of the heavens;
-,

a certain theory,

which we

shall pro-

pose, of the sphere itself according to the system

of degrees
(5)

and the application of these and of the degrees of the heavens

five celestial zones,

Of the

to the earth;
(6) (7) (8)

Of parallels; Of the climates' of the earth; Of winds, with a general diagram

of

these and other things;

(9)

Of

the divisions

various seas, of islands,

1

of the earth, of the and of the distances of

its

The word

climate

is

here used in

ancient sense of a zone of

specified parallels

the earth's surface comprised between

two

of latitude.

35

Order of Treatment
places
also a

from one another.

There

will be added

quadrant useful to the cosmographer. Lastly, we shall add the four voyages of

Amerigo Vespucci.

Thus we

shall describe the

cosmography, both in the on the plane.

solid

and projected

CHAPTER
OF THE
SINCE

PRINCIPLES OF

GEOMETRY NECESSARY

TO AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SPHERE

the following pages frequent mention will be made of the circle, the circumin

ference,

the

center,

similar terms,

we

the diameter, and other ought first of all briefly to

discuss these terms

one by one.
in

circle

is

a plane figure

drawn around, and

point, all straight lines the surrounding line are equal to one another. plane figure is a figure, no point of which

bounded by a line the middle there is a drawn from which to

rises

above or

falls

below the
is

lines that

bound

it.

The

circumference
all

the line that so bounds

the circle that

center to the

straight lines drawn from the circumference are equal to one

another.

The

circumference

is

also called in

Latin ambitus,
in

circuitus, curvatura, ctrculus,

and

Greek

periphereia.
is

The
that
all

center of a circle

straight lines drawn bounding the circle are equal to

a point so situated from it to the line

one another.

semicircle

is

a plane figure

bounded by the

37

Principles

of Geometry
cir-

diameter of the circle and one half of the

cumference.

any straight line passing through the center of the circle and extending in both directions to the circumference.
is

The

diameter of a circle

A
An
two

straight line
points.

is

the shortest distance be-

tween two
lines.

angle

the mutual coming together of It is the portion of a figure increasis

ing in width from the point of intersection.

an angle formed by one line falling upon another line and making the two If a angles on either side equal to each other.
right angle
is

right angle is bounded by straight lines, called plane; if bounded by curved lines, called curved or spherical.

it it

is
is

An
An

obtuse angle
acute angle
is

is

an angle that

is

greater

than a right angle.

is less

than a right angle.

solid

body measured by length, breadth,

and height.
Height, thickness, and depth are the same. A degree is a whole thing or part of a thing

which
tieths.

is

not the result of a division into six-

A A A

minute
second
third

is

is

the sixtieth part of a degree. the sixtieth part of a minute.

is

the sixtieth part of a second, and

so on.

38

CHAPTER
DEFINED

II

SPHERE, Axis, POLES, ETC., ACCURATELY

BEFORE any one can obtain

knowledge of

cosmography, it is necessary that he should have an understanding of the material sphere.

After that he will

more

easily

description of the entire

comprehend the world which was first

handed down by Ptolemy and others and afterward enlarged by later scholars, and on which further light has recently been thrown by

Amerigo Vespucci.

A
on

sphere, as Theodosius defines it in his book spheres, is a solid and material figure bounded
surface, in

by a convex
there
is

the center of which

a point, all straight lines

drawn from

which

to the circumference are equal to one And while, according to modern another.
writers, there are ten celestial spheres, there a material sphere like the eighth
is

(which

is

called

the fixed sphere because

it

carries

the

fixed stars),

ideally that is, the earth.

composed of circles joined together by a line and axis crossing the center,
is

The

axis of a sphere

a line passing

through

39

Geometrical Definitions

the center and touching with its extremities the circumference of the sphere on both sides. About this axis the sphere whirls and turns like

the wheel of a

wagon about

its

axle,

which

is

smoothly

rounded pole, the diameter of the circle itself.

axis

Of

being the this Manilius

speaks as follows:

Through

the cold air a slender line

is

drawn,

Round which

the starry world revolves.

The

poles,

which

are

also

called

cardines

vertices (tops), are the points of the (hinges) and heavens terminating the axis, so fixed that they

never move, but always remain in the same What is said here about the axis and place.
the poles
is

to be referred to the eighth sphere,

since for the present we have undertaken the limitation of the material sphere, which, as we

have

said,

resembles the eighth sphere.

There

are accordingly two principal poles, one the northern, also called Arcticus (arctic) and Borealis

(of Boreas), the other the southern, also called Of these Vergil says: Antarcticus (antarctic).

The one pole is always above us, but the other The black Styx and the deep shades see 'neath our

feet.

Europe and Asia see the arctic pole always. from Arctus, or Arcturus, the Great Bear, which is also named Catisto, Helice, and Septentrionalis from
live

We

who

in

It is so called

40

Geometrical Definitions

the seven

stars

of the Wain, which are called

Triones; there are seven stars also in the Lesser

Bear,

sometimes called Cynosura.

Wherefore

Baptista

Mantuanus

says:

Under thy

We

set sail

guidance, Helice, under thine, Cynosura, over the deep, etc.

Likewise, the wind coming from that part of the world is called Eorealis and Aquilonicus
Sailors are accustomed (northern). Cynosura the star of the sea.

to

call

Opposite to the arctic pole

whence

it

derives

its

the antarctic, name, for avri in Greek is

is

This pole is the equivalent of contra in Latin. also called Noticus and Austronoticus (southern).
can not be seen by us on account of the curvature of the earth, which slopes downward,
It

but

is

visible

from the antipodes (the existence

of which has been established). It should be remarked in passing that the downward slope
of a spherical object means its swelling or belly; that convexity is the contrary of it and denotes
concavity.

There
zodiac

are,

besides,

itself,

two other poles of the describing two circles in the

Since

heavens, the arctic and the antarctic.

we

have made mention of the zodiac, the arctic, and the antarctic (which are circles in the
heavens),

we

shall treat

of circles in the follow-

ing chapter.

CHAPTER
OF THE CIRCLES
THERE
are

III

OF THE HEAVENS
circles,

two kinds of

called alsc*

segmina by authors, on the sphere and in the heavens, not really existing, but imaginary;

namely, great and small circles. A great circle is one which, described on the

convex surface of the sphere, divides

it

into
:

two

There are six great circles the equal parts. equator, the zodiac, the equinoctial colure, the solstitial colure, the meridian, the horizon.
small circle on the sphere is one which, described on the same surface of the sphere, divides it into two unequal parts. There are
four small circles
:

the arctic, the circle of Can-

Thus cer, the circle of Capricorn, the antarctic. there are in all ten, of which we shall speak in
order,
first

of the great

circles.

The

equator,

which

is

also called the girdle

of

the primum mobile and the equinoctial, is a great circle dividing the sphere into two equal parts.

Any

point of the equator

It is so
it

is

equally distant

from
the
at

both poles. sun crosses

called because,

when

(which happens twice a year,

42

The Circles of the Heavens

point of Aries, in the month of March, and at the first point of Libra, in the month of
the
first

September), it is the equinox throughout the world and the day and night are equal. The equinox of March or of Aries is the vernal
equinox, the equinox of September or of Libra the autumnal.

The

zodiac

is

great

circle

the equator at two points, points of Aries and Libra.

is

which

intersecting are the first

it

One
t^cpdiov,

half of

inIt

clines to the north, the other to the south.

so

called

either
it

from

meaning an
it,

animal, because

has twelve animals in

life,

or

from

^Gorjj

meaning

because

it is

understood

that the lives of all the lower animals are gov-

erned by the movements of the planets. The Latins call it signifer (sign-bearing), because it
has twelve signs in
it,

and the oblique

circle.

Therefore Vergil says:

Where

the series of the signs might revolve obliquely.

In the middle of the width of the zodiac

there
is

circular

line

dividing

it

into

two

equal parts and leaving six degrees of latitude on either side. This line is called the ecliptic,

because no eclipse of the sun or moon ever takes place unless both of them pass under that
line in the

same or
is

in opposite degrees,

in the
;

same, if

it

to be an eclipse of the sun

in

43

The Circles of the Heavens

opposite, if
it is

to be an eclipse of the

moon.

The

sun always passes with its center under that line and never deviates from it. The moon and
the rest
.

of the planets wander at one time under the line, at another on one side or the
other.

There

are

two colures on the

sphere,

which

are distinguished as solstitial and equinoctial. They are so called from the Greek K&\OV, which

member and the Latin uri boves (wild oxen), which Caesar says, in the fourth book of his "Commentaries," are found in the Hercynian forest and are of the size of elephants, bea
1

means

cause, just as the tail of an ox when raised makes a semicircular and incomplete member,

so the colure always appears to us incomplete, for one half is visible, while the other half is

concealed.

The
circle

solstitial colure,

which
is

is

also called the

of declinations,
first

great circle passing

through the

points of Cancer and Capri-

corn, as well as through the poles of the ecliptic and the poles of the world.

equinoctial colure, in like manner, is a great circle passing through the first points of Aries and Libra and the poles of the world.

The

The
1

meridian

is

a great circle passing

is

through

The passage referred to the Commentaries.

in the sixth book,

chapter xxviii, of

44

The Circles of the Heavens

the point vertically overhead and the poles of These circles we have drawn ten the world.
degrees apart in our world map in the solid and There is a point in projected on the plane. the heavens directly over any object, which is
called the zenith.

The
is

horizon, also
circle

called^/foz/Vor

(limiting line),

of the sphere dividing the great upper hemisphere (that is, the half of a sphere)
a
It
is

from the lower.

the vision of those

the

circle

at

which

stand under the open It sky and cast their eyes about seems to end. appears to separate the part of the heavens that is seen from the The part that is not seen.

who

horizon of different places varies, and the point vertically overhead of every horizon is called
the pole, for such a point is equally distant in all directions from the finitor or the horizon
itself.

Having thus considered the

us

great circles, let

now proceed to the small circles. The arctic circle is a small circle which one

pole of the zodiac describes about the arctic pole of the world by the motion of the primum
mobile.

The antarctic is

a small circle

which the other

pole of the zodiac makes and describes about the antarctic pole of the world. mean by the pole of the zodiac (of which we spoke also in

We

45

The Circles of the Heavens

the preceding chapter), the point that is equally distant from any point on the ecliptic, for the
poles of the zodiac are the extremities of the axis of the ecliptic. The distance of the pole

of the zodiac from the pole of the world is equal to the greatest declination of the sun (of

which we

shall say

more
the

The

tropic of Cancer

is

presently). a small circle

which

the sun,

point of Cancer, describes by the motion of the primum mobile. This point is also called the summer solstice.
at
first

when

The

tropic of Capricorn
sun,

is

small circle

which the
mobile.

when

at the first point

of Capriof

corn, describes

by the motion of the primum

circle
is

This

also called the circle

the winter solstice.

Since

we have mentioned

declination,

it

should

be remarked that declination occurs when the

sun descends from the equinoctial to the tropic of Cancer, or from us to the tropic of Capricorn
;

that ascension, on the contrary, occurs when the sun approaches the equator from the tropics.

however, improperly said by some that the sun ascends when it approaches us and descends
It
is,

when it Thus

goes away from

far

us.

we have spoken

of

circles.

Let us

proceed to the theory of the sphere and a fuller consideration of the degrees by which such
circles are distant

now

from one another.

46

CHAPTER
OF A CERTAIN THEORY
THE

IV
OF THE SPHERE

ACCORDING TO THE SYSTEM OF DEGREES

surrounded by five principal circles, one great and four small the arctic, the circle of Cancer, the equator, the circle of Capricorn, and the antarctic. Of these
celestial

sphere

is

the equator is a great circle, the other four are small circles. These circles, or rather the
spaces that are between them, authors are wont Thus Vergil, in the Georgics, to call zones.
says:

Five zones the heavens contain

whereof

is

one

Aye From
Are

red with flashing sunlight, fervent aye

fire
;

and right traced the utmost twain, stiff with blue

either side to left

on

ice,

black with scowling storm-clouds, and betwixt These and the midmost, other twain there lie,

And
By

the gods' grace to heart-sick mortals given,

And a path cleft between them, where might On sloping plane the system of the signs.

wheel

Of the

nature of the zones

in the following pages.

more Inasmuch

will be said
as

we have

mentioned above the pole of the zodiac that

47

Certain Theory of the Sphere

describes the arctic circle, therefore in place of further consideration this must be understood to

mean the upper pole of

an elevation of 66
It
9',

the zodiac (situated at and distant from the arctic

also that a depole 24 51"). gree is the thirtieth part of a sign, that a sign is the twelfth part of a circle, and that thirty multi-

must be recalled

plied by twelve gives three hundred and sixty. So it becomes clear that a degree can be defined
as

the three hundred and sixtieth part of a circle. The lower pole of the zodiac describes the

antarctic circle,

which

is

situated in the

same

degree of declination and is at the same distance from the antarctic pole as the upper pole of the zodiac is from the arctic. The inclination of the
the greatest declination of the sun 1 toward the north (which is situated 33 5 i' from the equinoctial), describes the tropic of Cancer.
ecliptic, or

other inclination of the ecliptic, or the greatest declination of the sun toward the south

The

(which

is

situated the

same number of degrees

as

stated before), describes the tropic

The

of Capricorn. distance between the tropic of Cancer

circle
is

and the arctic

tic circle is

42

18'.

The

distance

between the tropic of Capricorn and the antarcthe same.

heavens, being equally distant from the poles of the world, makes the equator.
1

The middle of the

Error for 23
"

51'.

Error for 23

51'.

48

A
Hitherto

Certain Theory of the Sphere

we have spoken of

the five zones

and of their distance from one another.

shall

We

now briefly discuss the remaining circles. The circle of the zodiac is determined by the From the poles to the poles of the zodiac.
to the greatest declinations of the sun or the solstices), the distance is 42 18'.
tropics (that
is,

The width

of the zodiac from the ecliptic toward either of the tropics is 6, or in all 12.

and the equinoxes mark the These incolures of declination and ascension.
solstices

The

under the poles of the world along the axis of the heavens at spherical right angles;
tersect

likewise along the equator. But the equinoctial colures going along the zodiac make oblique

while they make right angles along the zodiac of the solstices. The meridional circle,
angles,

which

movable, is contained by the same axis under the poles themselves. The circle of the horizon is determined by
is

the zenith, for, as

its

upper pole, the zenith

is

everywhere equally distant from it. The circle of the horizon also divides our hemisphere from
the other from east to west, but for those who are beneath the equinoctial, through the two
poles of the world.

The
90,

zon

is

always distant
circle,

zenith of every horiwhich is the fourth

part of a

from the circumference of the

horizon, while the circumference of the horizon

49

A
is

Certain Theory of the Sphere

four times as great as the distance between the zenith and the horizon.
It
is

worthy of notice that the

axis

of the

world in the material sphere passes diametrically from the poles through the center of the world,

which

is

the earth.

of the zodiac, however, is not apparent in the sphere, but has to be conceived. This
axis
intersects the

The

middle of the axis of the world,

or oblique angles at the center. In this way, in the very creation of the world there seems to be a wonderful order and ex-

making unequal

traordinary arrangement. The old astronomers, in describing the form of the world, followed,
as far as possible, in

the footsteps of the Creator

all

Himself,

who made

number, weight, and while treating of this

are so
that

things according to dimensions. We, too,

subject,

inasmuch

as

we

hampered by the conditions of our space

our system of minutes can be perceived only with difficulty, or not at all, and, if perceived, would beget even annoyance as well as
error, shall infer the positions

of circles from
'

the markings of degrees in full. not much difference between 5 1

For there is and a full de-

gree, which contains 60', as we have said before, and in the book on the sphere and elsewhere it
is

indicated in exactly this

way by

specialists

on

this subject.

Therefore in the diagram which

50

A Certain
we

Theory of the Sphere

shall here insert for the better understanding

of these matters, the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn and the greatest declinations of the sun
will be distant

24

from the

equinoctial, the

same

the distance of the poles of the zodiac or the arctic and antarctic circles from the poles
as

of the world, situated

at

an elevation of over

66.

ARCTIC POLE

ANTARCTIC R>LE
5
1

CHAPTER V
OF THE FIVE CELESTIAL ZONES AND THE APPLICATION OF THESE AND OF THE DEGREES OF THE HEAVENS TO THE EARTH
very briefly of several geometrical principles, of the sphere, the poles, the five zones, the circles of the

Up TO

this point

we have spoken

world, and of a certain theory in regard to these matters. Now, in regular order, if I am not
mistaken,

we come

to the consideration of the

application of these circles and degrees to the It should therefore be known that on earth.

the earth there are five regions corresponding to the above-mentioned zones. Wherefore Ovid
in the Metamorphoses says:

And

as

two zones the northern heaven

restrain,

The southern two, and one the With five the Godhead girt th'

hotter midst,

inclosed earth,

And
The

climates five

upon
:

its

face imprest.
:

midst from heat inhabitable

snows

Eternal cover two

'twixt these extremes

lie,

Two
Meet

temperate regions
in

where heat and cold

due mixture.
i,

(Metamorphoses,

45-51, translated by Howard.)

In order to

make

the matter clearer,

52

let

us

The Five Celestial Zones

state that the four small circles, the arctic, the

of Cancer, the circle of Capricorn, and the antarctic, divide and separate the five zones
circle

of the heavens.
In the following diagram let a represent the arctic pole of the world, be the arctic circle, de
the circle of Cancer, ^g the circle of Capricorn, hk the antarctic circle, and / the south pole.

The
stiff

first

zone, or the arctic,

included between bac.

the space This zone, being frozen

is all

with perpetual cold, is uninhabited. The second zone is all the space included between be and de. This is a temperate zone and
is

habitable.

The
tween
heat,
is

third zone
de

is

all

the space included beits

and fg.

This zone, on account of

scarcely habitable; for the sun, describing circles there with a constant whirling motion along the line fe (which for us marks the
ecliptic),

torrid

by reason of and uninhabited.

fourth zone
hk.

its

heat makes the zone

The
is

is all is

the space included bea

tween fg and

habitable, if

temperate zone and the immense areas of water and

This

the changed conditions of the atmosphere per-

mit

it.

The
tween

fifth

zone

hkl.

the space included beThis zone is always stiff with cold

is

all

and uninhabited.
53

The Five Celestial Zones

say that any zone of the heavens is either inhabited or uninhabited, we wish it to

When we

be understood that
ing zone

this applies to the

lying say that any zone is inhabited or inhabitable, we mean that it is easily inhabitable.

beneath

that

celestial

correspondzone.

When we

Likewise, when we say that any zone is uninhabited or uninhabitable, we understand that it
is

habitable with difficulty. For there are many people who now inhabit the dried-up torrid
as
1

zone, such

the inhabitants of the Golden

Chersonese, the Taprobanenses," the Ethiopians, and a very large part of the earth which had

always been unknown, but which has recently been discovered by Amerigo Vespucci. In this

connection

we may

state that

we

shall

add the

four voyages of Vespucci, translated

Italian

language into

from the French and from French

the following diazone, which is nearest
as

into Latin.
It

must be understood,
that the
pole,
is

gram shows,
to the arctic

first

is

23

51' in extent;
is

the

second,
arctic,

which
and
is

equal to the therefore the same in extent the

the antarctic,
;

third, a temperate zone, is 42 which is equal to it, is also 42

8'

the fourth,

18'; the fifth,

which
1

is

the torrid and

is

in the middle, is
is

47

42'.

The The

peninsula of Malacca in India

probably meant.

people of what

is

now

the island of Ceylon.

54

The Five Celestial Zones

Let us here

insert the diagram.

ARCTIC POLE

ANTARCTIC POLE

55

CHAPTER
PARALLELS, which are
and
at

VI

OF PARALLELS
also called

Almucantars,

are circles or lines equidistant in every direction

every point, and never running together even if extended to infinity. They bear the
relation to

same

the equator does to the four small circles on the sphere, not that
as

one another
distant

the second
first
is

is

as

from the third

as

the

clear

from the second, for this is false, as is from the preceding pages, but that any

together by a perpendicular are equally distant from each other throughout their extent. For the equator is neither nearer

two

circles joined

nor more distant from one of the tropics any one point than at any other, since it
to

at
is

everywhere distant 23 51' from the tropics, as we have said before. The same must be said of
the distance from the tropics to the two extreme
circles, either

of which

is

distant

42
at

44" from
any
dis-

the nearer tropic at

all points.

Although
1

parallels

can be drawn

tance apart, yet, to

Error for 42
18'.

make

the reckoning easier,

56

Of
it

Parallels
it

has seemed to us most convenient, as

seemed

also,in our representation of universal cosmography, both in the solid and projected on

to

Ptolemy

the plane, to separate the parallels by as many degrees from one another as the following table shows. To this table a diagram also will be
subjoined, in which we shall extend the parallels through the earth on both sides to the celestial

sphere.

57

Of
Parallels

Parallels

from the

equator

Of
Parallels

Parallels

&

Climates

De

rees

Hours

Mlles

CHAPTER
ALTHOUGH
the

VII

OF CLIMATES
word
climate properly

means

region, it is here used to mean a part of the earth between two equidistant parallels, in which

from the beginning

there
day.
is

to the

end of the climate

a difference of a half-hour in the longest

of any climate, reckoned from the equator, indicates the number of halfhours by which the longest day in that climate exceeds the day that is equal to the night.

The number

There

are seven of these climates, although

to

the south the seventh has not yet been explored. But toward the north Ptolemy discovered a

country that was hospitable and habitable, at a distance represented by seven half-hours. These
seven climates have obtained their names from

some prominent
i.

city, river,
is

or mountain.

The

first

climate

called

Dia Meroes (of

Meroe, modern Shendi), from $i<x, which in Greek means through and governs the genitive case, and Meroe, which is a city of Africa situated in the torrid zone 16 on this side of the equator, in the same parallel in which the Nile
is

found.

Our world map,

which
this
is

for the better under-

standing of

written, will

clearly

60

Of Climates
show you the beginning, the middle, and the
end of
this first climate

and

also

of the

rest, as

well as the hours of the longest day in every one

of them.
2.

Dia Sienes
a city

(of Syene,

modern Assuan),

from Syene,

of Egypt, the beginning of

the province of Thebais. Dia Alexandrias (of Alexandria), from 3. Alexandria, a famous city of Africa, the chief

of Egypt, founded by Alexander the Great, of whom it has been said by the poet
city
:

One world

is

not enough for the youth of Pella.

(Juvenal, x, 168.)

Dia Rhodon (of Rhodes), from Rhodes, an island on the coast of Asia Minor, on which
4.

in our time there

is

situated a

famous

city of the

same name, which bravely resisted the fierce and warlike attacks of the Turks and gloriously defeated them. 5. Dia Rhomes (of Rome), from a well-

known
among

of Europe, the most illustrious the cities of Italy and at one time the
city

famous conqueror of all nations and the capital It is now the abode of the great of the world.
Father of Fathers.

Dia Borysthenes (of Borysthenes, modern Dnieper), from a large river of the Scythians, the fourth from the Danube. A city in Macedonia, the birthplace of Alexander.
6.
J

61

Of Climates
Dia Rhipheon (of the Rhiphaean Mounfrom the Rhiphasan mountains, a promitains), nent range in Sarmatian Europe, white with
7.

perpetual snow. From these prominent places, through which approximately the median lines of the climates
pass, the seven climates established

by Ptolemy

derive their names.

eighth climate Ptolemy did not locate, because that part of the earth, whatever it is,

The

was unknown to him, but was explored by later It is called Dia Tyles scholars. (of Thule,

modern Iceland

or Shetland), because the beginis

ning of the climate, which

parallel

the twenty-first

from the equator, passes directly through Thule. Thule is an island in the north, of which our poet Vergil says
:

The
So

farthest

Thule

will serve.

(Georgics,

i,

30.)

much

for

the

climates

north

of the

equator. In like manner we must speak of those which are south of the equator, six of which

having corresponding names have been explored and may be called Antidia Meroes (Anti-climate
of

Meroe),

Antidia

Alexandrias,

Antidia

Rhodon, Antidia Rhomes, Antidia Borysthenes, from the Greek particle avri, which means opposite

or against. In the sixth climate toward the antarctic there are situated the farthest part 62

Of Climates
of Africa, recently discovered, the islands Zanzibar, the lesser Java, and Seula (Sumatra?), and
the fourth part of the earth, which, because Amerigo discovered it, we may call Amerige, the land of Amerigo, so to speak, or America. It is of these southern climates that these words

of Pomponius Mela, the geographer, must be understood, when he says:

The

habitable zones have the

same seasons, but

at

different times of the year.

the one, and

we

the other.

The Antichthones inhabit The situation of the forto us

mer zone being unknown

of the intervening zone, ation of the latter.
I

on account of the heat

can speak only of the situ-

Here

it

^(Perieg. i, I, 9.) should be remarked that each one of

the climates generally bears products different from any other, inasmuch as the climates are
different in character

ferent

influences
:

and are controlled by difof the stars. Wherefore

of earth produce.
* * *

Vergil says

Nor
*

can

all

climes
#

all fruits

and here the grape, Their earth is green with tender growth of trees And grass unbidden. See how from Tmolus comes
blithelier springs the corn,

Here

The saffron's fragrance, ivory from Ind, From Saba's weakling sons their frankincense,
Iron from the naked Chalybs, castor rank

From Pontus, from Epirus the prize-palms O' the mares of Elis.
(Georgics,
i,

54-59, translated by Rhoades.)

63

CHAPTER

VIII

OF THE WINDS
SINCE in the preceding pages we have mentioned the winds now and then (when we
spoke of the north pole, the south pole, etc.), and as it is understood that a knowledge of winds
is

of some importance, or rather of great ad-

vantage, to cosmography, we shall for these reasons say something in this chapter about

winds, also called spiritus andjlatus (breeze). A wind, therefore, as denned by the philosophers,

an exhalation, warm and dry, moving ally around the earth, etc.
is

later-

Now, inasmuch as the sun has a and setting, the summer rising and
rising

triple rising

setting, the

equinoctial rising and setting, and the winter

according to its relation to the two tropics and the equator, and inasmuch to the north and to as there are also two sides
setting,

and

the south,

them

of which have winds peculiar to therefore it follows that there are twelve
all
all,

winds in

three eastern, three western, three

Of these the northern, and three southern. four which in the following diagram occupy the middle place are the principal winds; the others
are secondary.

64

Of the

Winds
East

West

Side

Of the Winds
The
east

wind (Subsolanus), which

finer

is

rendered
is

by the sun purer and

than the others,

very healthful. The west wind (Zephyrus), having a mixture of heat and moisture, melts the snows. Whence
Vergil's verse
:

Melts from the mountain's hoar, and Zephyr's breath

Unbinds the crumbling

(Georgics,
i,

clod.

44, translated by Rhoades.)

south wind (Auster) frequently presages Wherefore storms, hurricanes, and showers.

The

Ovid

says:

Notus rushes

forth

On

pinions dropping

rain.
i,

(Metamorphoses, by Howard.)

264, translated

north wind (Aquilo), by reason of the severity of its cold, freezes the waters.

The

And

frosty winter with his north the sea's face

rough

doth wear.
(Vergil, jEneid,
iii,

285, translated by Morris.)

In regard to these winds, I remember, our poet Gallinarius, a man of great learning, composed the following
:

Eurus and Subsolanus blow from the east. Zephyrus and Favonius fill the west with breezes. Auster and Notus rage on Libya's farthest shores. Boreas and Aquilo cloud-dispelling threaten from the
north.

66

THE
as a

purpose of this
off

little

book

is

to

globe and

as a projection.

The gk

usually
tries

mark

and divide their farms b

of the world by the emblems of the Europe we have placed the eagles of the

(which
the
are the

is

the symbol of the

Holy Father
<

Roman Church.
emblems

greater part of the supreme Sultan oJ

The

of Asia called Asia Minor

Sarmatian Scythia.

we have

surroi;
r

symbol of the Sultan of the Turks,

Asiatic

who Scythia we

Khan.

A
;

Biberith)

red cross symbolizes Prester J and finally on the fourth divis

have placed the emblems of those sove crosses shallow places in the sea where sh

NC

SOI

ITH
90

I I

H <
LU

(/)

purpose of this little book is to write a globe and as a projection. The globe I hav mark off and usually divide their farms by bounda tries of the world by the emblems of their rulers Europe we have placed the of
as a

THE

eagles

(which
the

is

the symbol of the

Scytl Sarmatmn Scythia. Asiatic Scythia we have mark Khan. A red cross symbolizes Prester John (who and Bibenth) finally on the fourth division of th, have placed the emblems of those A
;

The greater part of Africa the emblems of the supreme Sultan of Babylon f Asia called Asia Minor we have surrounded wit symbol of the Sultan of the Turks, who rules

Roman Church.

Roman I Holy Father) we hav

the

crosses shallow places in the sea

sovereigns

where shipwreck

THOW

drcription of the world map, which we have designed, both As farmers iesigned on a small scale, the map on a larger. larulines, so it has been our endeavor to mark the chief coun-

begin with our own continent) in the middle of Emire (which rule the kings of Europe), and with the key ire iclosed almost the whole of Europe, which acknowledges

Lnd

(to

ca

id

a part

of Asia
all

iaUhe lord of

have distinguished by crescents, which The part Egypt, and of a part of Asia.

we

saffron-colored cross joined to a branding iron, which is the side of the Imaus, the highest mountains of Asia and :ythidthis
larked

by anchors, which are the emblems of the great Tartar iles both eastern and southern India and who resides in
irth,

[the

discovered by the kings of Castile and Portugal,

is

we

i.

AiJ

what

to

be borne in

mind,
close.

we have marked

with

eckma

be feared.

Herewith we

write a description of the world map, which we have designed, both As farmers >be I have designed on a small scale, the map on a larger.
y boundary lines, so
ir rulers.
it

has been our endeavor to

mark

the chief coun-

begin with our own continent) in the middle of Roman Empire (which rule the kings of Europe), and with the key we have enclosed almost the whole of Europe, which acknowledges )
(to

And

distinguished by crescents, which The part f Babylonia, the lord of all Egypt, and of a part of Asia. inded with a saffron-colored cross joined to a branding iron, which is the
Df Africa

and a part of Asia

we have

of the Imaus, the highest mountains of Asia and tave marked by anchors, which are the emblems of the great Tartar ohn (who rules both eastern and southern India and who resides in
ules Scythia this side

ion of the earth, discovered by the kings of Castile and Portugal,

reigns.

we

And what

is

to

be borne in

mind,
close.

we have marked with

dpwreck may be

feared.

Herewith we

Of the Winds
Although the north winds are naturally cold, they are softened because they pass through the This has been found to be true of torrid zone. the south wind, which passes through the torrid zone before it reaches us, as is shown in the
following lines Wherever the cold south wind goes, it rages But and binds the waters with tight fetters.
:

until

with

its

regions, it hurls back the

through the torrid comes welcome to our shores and

blast
it

passes

merciless shafts of the north

wind.

The

latter

wind on the
us,

contrary,
its

which

deals harshly

with

slackening

flight, be-

comes

in like

manner gentler

in the lowest part

of the globe.

The

other winds, where they

direct their various courses, soon change, as they go, the natures which are proper to their homes.

We
now

have said enough about winds.

We

shall

insert a general

map, indicating the

poles,

the axes, the circles, great as well as small, the east, the west, the five zones, the degrees of longitude and latitude, both on the earth and in
the
heavens, the
etc.

parallels,

the

climates, the

winds,

CHAPTER
OF CERTAIN ELEMENTS
IT
is

IX
OF

COSMOGRAPHY

from astronomical demonstrations that the whole earth is a point in comparison

clear

with the entire extent of the heavens; so that if the earth's circumference be compared to the
size

of the

celestial globe, it

may

be considered

have absolutely no extent. There is about a fourth part of this small region in the world
to

which was known

to

Ptolemy and

is

inhabited

by living beings like ourselves. Hitherto it has been divided into three parts, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Europe is bounded on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, on the north by the British Ocean, on
the east by the river Tanais (modern Don), Lake Maeotis (modern Sea of Azov), and the Black
Sea,
Sea.

and on the south by the Mediterranean

It

includes Spain, Gaul, Germany, Raetia, Europe is so called Italy, Greece, and Sarmatia. after Europa, the daughter of King Agenor.

While with

a girl's enthusiasm she

was playing

on the sea-shore accompanied by her Tyrian maidens and was gathering flowers in baskets,
she
is

believed

to

have been carried off by

68

Of Certain
Jupiter,
bull,

Elements of Cosmography

who assumed
after

the form of a snow-white

being brought over the seas to Crete seated upon his back to have given her
to the land lying opposite.
is

and

name

Africa

bounded on the west by the Atlantic

Ocean, on the south by the Ethiopian Ocean, on the north by the Mediterranean Sea, and on
the east by the
river

Nile.

It

embraces the

Mauritanias, viz., Tingitana (modern Tangiers) and Cassarea, inland Libya, Numidia (also called

Mapalia), lesser Africa (in which formerly the constant rival of the
pire),

is

Carthage,

Roman em-

Cyrenaica, Marmarica (modern Barca), Libya (by which name also the whole of Africa is called, from Libs, a king of Mauritania), inland Ethiopia, Egypt, etc. It is called Africa because it is free from the severity of the cold. Asia, which far surpasses the other divisions

from Europe by the river Tanais (Don) and from Africa by the Isthmus, which stretching southward divides the Arabian and the Egyptian seas.
in size

and

in

resources,

is

separated

The

principal

countries

of Asia are Bithynia,

Galatia, Cappadocia, Pamphylia, Lydia, Cilicia,

greater and lesser Armenia, Colchis, Hyrcania, and Albania besides Iberia, many other
;

countries

which

it

would only delay

Asia
is

us to enu-

merate one by one. queen of that name.

so called after a

60

Of Certain
Now,

Elements of Cosmography

these parts of the earth have been more extensively explored and a fourth part has been

discovered by Amerigo Vespucci (as will be set forth in what follows). Inasmuch as both

Europe and Asia received their names from women, I see no reason why any one should
justly object to calling
this

part Amerige,

i.e.,

the land of Amerigo, or America, after Amerigo,

of great ability. tion and the customs of its inhabitants

its

discoverer, a

man

Its posi-

may be

clearly

understood

from the four voyages of

to

Amerigo, which are subjoined.

Thus
tinents,
as it is

the earth

into four parts.

now known The first three

is
is

be divided

parts are con-

an island, inasmuch found to be surrounded on all sides by

while the fourth

the ocean.
just as there

Although there
is

is

only one ocean,

by many
it

only one earth, yet, being marked seas and filled with numberless islands,

These names may be found in the Cosmography, and Priscian in his translation of Dionysius enumerates them in the
takes various names.

following lines

vast abyss of the ocean, however, surrounds the earth on every side ; but the ocean,

"The

although there is only one, takes many names. In the western countries it is called the Atlantic

Ocean, but in the north, where the Arimaspi

are ever warring,
it is

called the sluggish sea,

70

Of Certain

Elements of Cosmography

the Saturnian Sea, and by others the

*******
rises

Dead
its

Sea,

Where, however, the sun

light,

with

first

they

call it

the Eastern or the Indian Sea.

But where the inclined pole receives the burning south wind,
it is

called the Ethiopian or the

*

Red

Sea, *

great ocean, known under various names, encircles the whole world;

Thus the

*******
its

"

Of

arms

the

first

that

stretches

out

breaks through Spain with its waves, and extends from the shores of Libya to the coast of Pamphylia.

This

is

smaller than the

rest.

larger

gulf

is

which
north.

the one that enters into the Caspian land, receives it from the vast waters of the

The arm

of the sea which Tethys (the

ocean) rules as the Saturnian Sea is called the Caspian or the Hyrcanian. But of the two gulfs
that

come from
the

the south sea, one, the Persian,

sea,

running northward, forms a deep

lying op-

country where the Caspian waves posite roll while the other rolls and beats the shores
;

of Panchasa and extends to the south opposite to

the Euxine Sea.

*******

" Let us begin in regular order with the waters of the Atlantic, which Cadiz makes

Of Certain

Elements of Cosmography

famous by Hercules' gift of the pillar, where Atlas, standing on a mountain, holds up the columns that support the heavens. The first
sea

the Iberian, which separates Europe from On either Libya, washing the shores of both.
is

side are the pillars.

Both face the

the

shores, the

one looking toward Libya, the other toward

Europe.
called

Then comes
shores.

Gallic Sea,
this

which
sea,

beats the Celtic

After

the

by the name of the Ligurians, where the masters of the world grew up on Latin soil, extends

from the north

with

to
its

Leucopetra

where the

island of Sicily
strait.

curving shore forms a

Cyrnos (modern Corsica) is washed by the waters that bear its name and flow between
the Sardinian Sea and the Celtic.

Then

rolls

the surging tide of the Tyrrhenian Sea, turning toward the south it enters the sea of Sicily,
;

which turns toward the east and spreading far from the shores of Pachynum extends to Crete, a steep rock, which stands out of the sea, where
powerful Gortyna and Phasstum are situated in the midst of the fields. This rock, resembling with
its

peak the forehead of

ram, the Greeks have

justly called Kpiov pirooTtov (ram's forehead). The sea of Sicily ends at Mt. Garganus on the coast

of Apulia. " Beginning there the vast Adriatic extends toward the northwest. There also is the Ionian
72

Of Certain
Sea,

Elements of Cosmography

famous throughout the world. It separates two shores, which, however, meet in one point. On the right fertile Illyria extends, and next to
of the warlike Dalmatians. But
its

this the land

left is

bounded by the Ausonian peninsula, whose

curving shores the three seas, the Tyrrhenian, the Sicilian, and the vast Adriatic, encircle on all sides. Each of these seas within its limits
has a

wind

peculiar to

itself.

The

west wind
Sicil-

lashes the Tyrrhenian, the south

ian,

wind the

while the

east

wind breaks the waters of the

beneath
its blasts. its

Adriatic "

which

roll

deep expanse to the greater Syrtis which the coast of

Leaving

Sicily the sea spreads

Libya encircles.
into the lesser,

After the greater Syrtis passes the two seas beat far and wide
shores.

upon the re-echoing

as

From
to

Sicily the
far

Cretan Sea stretches out toward the east as

Salmonis,

which

is

said

be the eastern

end of Crete.
with dark waves, lashed by the north wind coming from Ismarus, which rushes straight down from the regions of
vast seas

" Next

come two

the north.

The

first,

called

the Pharian Sea,

washes the base

second
is

of

steep

mountain.

The

the Sidonian Sea, which turns toward the north, where the gulf of Issus joins it. This
;

sea does not continue far in a straight line

it is

for

broken by the shores of

73

Cilicia.

Then

Of Certain

Elements of Cosmography
it

bending westward

winds like a dragon be-

cause, forcing its way through the mountains, it devastates the hills and worries the forests. Its

end bounds Pamphylia and surrounds the ChelFar off to the west it ends near idonian rocks.
the heights of Patara.

" Next look again toward the north and behold the ./Egean Sea, whose waves exceed those
of
all

other seas, and whose vast waters surround

the scattered Cyclades. It ends near Imbros and Tenedos, near the narrow strait through which the waters of the Propontis issue, beyond which
Asia with

where comes the Thracian Bosporus, the mouth of the In the whole world they say there Black Sea. is no strait narrower than this. There are found There to the the Symplegades, close together.
east

great peoples extends to the south, the wide peninsula stretches out. Then
its

the Black Sea spreads out, situated in a

direction.

northeasterly

From

either

side

promontory stands out in the middle of the waters; one, coming from Asia on the south, is called Carambis the other on the opposite side juts out from the confines of Europe and is
;

Kptov fjieTGonov (ram's forehead.) They face each other, therefore, separated by a sea so wide that a ship can cross it only in three days.

called

Thus you may

double
sea,

see the Black Sea looking like a

resembling the curve of a bow, which

74

Of Certain
is

Elements of Cosmography

the string is drawn tight. The right side resembles the string, for it forms a straight line, outside of which line is found

bent

when

Carambis only, which projects toward the north. But the coast that encloses the sea on the left
side,

making two

turns, describes the arc of the

bow.

Into this sea

toward

the

north

Lake

Maeotis (modern Sea of Azov) enters, enclosed on all sides by the land of the Scythians, who call Lake Maeotis the mother of the Black Sea.

Indeed, here the violent sea bursts forth in a great stream, rushing across the Cimmerian

Bosporus (modern Crimea), in those cold regions where the Cimmerians dwell at the foot of
Taurus. Such
the picture of the ocean the glittering appearance of the deep."
is
;

such

(Priscian, Periegesis, 37, foil., ed.

of Krehl.)
is

The
islands,

sea,

as

we have
to

said

of which the largest

according

of and the most imbefore,

full

portant,

Ptolemy,

are the

fol-

lowing

Taprobane (modern Ceylon), in the Indian Ocean under the equator Albion, also called Britain and England Sardinia, in the Mediter; ;

ranean Sea

^Egean Sea nean Sea Corsica

; ;

Candia, also called Crete, in the Selandia Sicily, in the Mediterra;

Cyprus.

Unknown
Prasodes Sea
;

to

Ptolemy
;

Zanzibar

Madagascar, in the Java, in the East Indian

:

75

Of Certain
Ocean
Seula
;

Rlements of Cosmography
;

Angama

Peuta, in the Indian

Ocean

; Zipangri (Japan), in the Of these Priscian says

:

Western Ocean.

"These

are the large islands

which the waters

are

of the ocean surround.

There

many

other

smaller islands, scattered about in different parts of the world, that are unknown, and that are
either difficult of access to hardy sailors or suitable for harbors. Their names I cannot easily

express in verse."
(Periegesis, 609-613.) In order to be able to find out the distance

between one place and another, the elevation of the pole must first be considered. It should
therefore be briefly remarked that, as is clear from what precedes, both poles are on the hor-

izon for those

who

live

on the

parallel of the

But as one goes toward the north, the equator. elevation of the pole increases the farther one goes away from the equator. This elevation of
the pole indicates the distance of places from the equator. For the distance of any place from the equator varies as the elevation of the pole at From this the number of miles is that place.

multiply the number of degrees of elevation of the pole. But according to Ptolemy, from the equator to the
easily

ascertained,

if

you

will

arctic pole miles are not equal in all parts

of the

world.

For any one of the degrees from the

76

Of Certain
first

Elements of Cosmography

degree of the equator up to the twelfth

contains sixty Italian miles, which are equivalent to fifteen German miles, four Italian miles being

generally reckoned equal to one German mile. Any degree from the twelfth degree up to the
twenty-fifth contains fifty-nine miles, or fourteen and three-quarter German miles.

In order to

make

the matter clearer,

:

we

shall

insert the following table

Degrees

Degrees

Italian

Miles

German Miles

Equator

up

to

Tropic

Arctic Circle-

Arctic Pole

Of Certain

Elements of Cosmography

by the number of degrees between the places. The result will be the number of miles between them.
Since these will be Italian miles, divide by four

and you will have German miles. All that has been said by way of introduction
to the

Cosmography will be sufficient, if we merely advise you that in designing the sheets of our world-map we have not followed Ptolemy

in every respect, particularly as regards the new lands, where on the marine charts we observe

that the equator

represented it. ought not to find fault with us, for

placed otherwise than Ptolemy Therefore those who notice this

is

we have
fol-

done

so purposely, because in this

we have

lowed Ptolemy, and elsewhere the marine

charts.

Ptolemy himself, in the fifth chapter of his first book, says that he was not acquainted with all
parts of the continent on account of its great size, that the position of some parts on account

of the carelessness of travelers was not correctly handed down to him, and that there are other
parts

which happen

at

different

times to have
cata-

undergone variations on account of the

clysms or changes in consequence of which they It are known to have been partly broken up.
has been necessary therefore, as he himself says he also had to do, to pay more attention to the

information gathered in our own times. have therefore arranged matters so that
78

We
in

Appendix
the plane projection we have followed Ptolemy new lands and some other as regards the
things,

while
the

on
plane,

the

globe,

which

accomthe

panies

we

have

followed
subjoin.

description of

Amerigo

that

we

APPENDIX
BEFORE
closing,

we

shall

add to the forego-

ing, as an appendix or corollary, a quadrant, by which may be determined the elevation of the

pole, the zenith, the center of the horizon, and the climates ; although, if rightly considered, this quadrant, of which we shall speak, has a

bearing on this subject.

to

For

cosmographer

ought especially the elevation of the pole, the zenith, and the climates of the earth. This quadrant, then, is constructed in the following way.
in such a
at the

know

Divide any circle into four parts

that the

way

two diameters

intersect

One of these, center at right angles. which has sights at either end, will represent the axis of the poles of the world, the other the
equator.

Then

which
sights

is

divide that part of the circle between the semi-axis that has the

and the other semi-diameter into ninety parts and the opposite part also into the same number, fix a plumb-line to the center, and
used as follows
:

your quadrant will be ready.

turn
it

quadrant is so that you will see the

The

79

Appendix
pole directly through the openings in the sights and then toward the climate and the degree to which the plumb-line will fall. Your region, as
well as your zenith and the center of your horizon, lies in that climate and at that degree of elevation.

QUADRANT

80

Appendix

Having now

finished

proposed to take up, we distant voyages of Vespucci, setting forth the consequences of the several facts as they bear upon our plan.

the chapters that we shall here include the

THE END OF THE OUTLINES

81

PHILESIUS, BORN IN THE VOSGES To THE READER

the fields enriched by the papyrusproducing Siris flower and the lakes of the Moon give birth to mighty rivers, on the right
are the mountains of lus, Danchis, and
at

WHERE

Mascha,

the foot
this

of which
rises

From

region

Ethiopians. Africus (southwest wind),

dwell

the

which with Libonotus (west-southwest wind)

blows over the heated lands.

From

the other

direction blows Vulturnus (east-southeast wind) upon a sweltering people, coming, as it does, in
its

There rapid course over the Indian Ocean. under the equator lies Taprobana, while Bassa
seen in the Prasodes Sea.
lies a

is

Beyond Ethiopia

and Bassa in the sea

maps,

land

Ptolemy, Capricorn and its companion Aquarius. To the right lies a land encircled by the vast ocean and
inhabited by a race of naked men. This land was discovered by him whom fair Lusitania
boasts of as her king, and

situated

your under the tropic of

unknown

to

who
?

sent a fleet across

position and the customs of the newly-discovered race are

the sea.

But

why

say

more

The

set forth in

Amerigo's book. Read this, honest reader, with all sincerity and do not imitate the
rhinoceros.

THE END
82

THE FOUR VOYAGES OF AMERIGO

VESPUCCI
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH INTO LATIN

The

'Translator's Decastich to the Reader.

will read, perchance, this slender

You who

tome

Will find within a voyage deftly

It tells

told.

of lands and peoples lately found;

tale well suited to

A A

novel

amuse.
lofty pen,

worthy task for Maro's

Which

dressed in noble words a theme sublime.

the Trojan heroes wand'ring sang

He who
When
The
in

Should eke have sung thy voyages, Vespucci.

our book you've visited these lands,
;

contents probe

'tis

not the writer's care.

Distich to the Reader.

Since what
I

is

new and

well told pleases you,

bring you what's amusing here and new.

THE END.

83

THE FOUR VOYAGES OF

AMERIGO VESPUCCI
To THE
most
illustrious

salem and of

Sicily,

Duke

Rene, King of Jeruof Lorraine and Bar,

Amerigo Vespucci pays humble homage and

presents appropriate recommendations.

Perchance, most illustrious King, your majesty will be astonished at my foolhardiness, because I feel no apprehension in addressing to you the present long letter, even though I know

you

to be incessantly occupied

with matters of

the highest importance and with numerous affairs of State. And I shall be considered not only
a

presumptuous
also

man

but one

who

has accom-

plished a useless

you

position,

work in undertaking to send a story which hardly concerns your addressed by name to Ferdinand, King

of Castile, and written in an unattractive and quite unpolished style, as if I were a man unacquainted with the Muses and a stranger to the trust in your refining influence of learning.

My

merits,

and the absolute truth of the following

accounts (on matters which neither ancient nor modern authors have written), will perhaps excuse me to your Majesty.
84

The Four Voyages of Amerigo Vespucci

was urged to write chiefly by the bearer of the present letters, Benvenuto, an humble servant of your Majesty and a friend of whom I need not
I

When this gentleman found me at Lisbon, he begged me to acquaint your Majesty with the things seen by me during my four
be ashamed.
voyages to different quarters of the globe. For, you must know that I have completed four voyages of discovery to new lands two of them
:

were undertaken by the order of Ferdinand, the illustrious King of Castile, and carried me
toward the west, through the Great Gulf of the Ocean; the other two were undertaken at the command of Manuel, King of Portugal, and
carried
I

me

toward the south.

have therefore prepared myself for the task urged upon me by Benvenuto, hoping that your Majesty will not exclude me from the number
of your insignificant servants, especially if you
recollect that formerly we were refer to the years of our youth,

good

friends.

when we were

fellow-students, and together drank in the ele-

ments of grammar under the holy and venerable friar of St. Mark, my uncle, Friar
Giorgio Antonio Vespucci a man of good life and tried learning. Had it been possible for me to follow in his footsteps, I should be quite a
different

man
may

to-day, as Petrarch says.

be, I

How-

ever that

am
85

not ashamed of being

The Pour Voyages of Amerigo Vespucci

what

am

for

virtue for

its

own

have always taken pleasure in sake and in scholarship. If,

you no pleasure whatever, I shall repeat the words which Pliny once wrote to Maecenas, "Formerly you were wont to take delight in my pleasantry." Your
then, these narratives give

Majesty,
affairs

it

is
;

true,
still,

is

ever

occupied

with

of State

a little time in
trifling

you can secretly steal just which to read these accounts,

be.
I assure

though they

you that

their

very novelty will please.

You

will find in these

pages no slight relief from the wasting cares and book will serve problems of government.

My

you

as

the sweet fennel, which,

is

when

taken

after meals,

wont
I

and to promote
If,

to leave a pleasant breath a better digestion.

by chance,

have been more prolix than

I

the subject warrants, Farewell.

crave your indulgence.

86

PREFACE
MOST illustrious King! know that I came to this
a merchant.
I

Your Majesty must

country primarily
as

continued in that career for the

But when I observed the space of four years. various changes of fortune, and saw how vain
and
lift

fleeting riches are,

and

how

for a time they

man

him
and

to the top of the wheel headlong to the bottom

;

and then hurl

boasted of wide possessions

after I

him, who had when I saw all this,

had personally suffered such experiences, I determined to abandon the business career and to devote all my efforts to worthier
and more enduring ends.

And

so I set about visiting different parts of

Both the world and seeing its many wonders. time and place were favorable to my plans. For
Ferdinand, King of Castile, was at that time fitting out four ships to discover new lands in
the west, and His Highness

made me one of that

company of explorers. We set sail from the harbor of Cadiz on the 2Oth of May, 1497,
making our way through the Great Gulf of the
87

Preface

Ocean.

This voyage

lasted

eighteen months,
lands and

during which we discovered many

almost countless islands (inhabited as a general of which our forefathers make absolutely rule),

no mention.
ancients
I

conclude

from
I

this

that the

had no knowledge of
;

their existence.

may be mistaken
somewhere

but

remember

read-

they believed the sea to be free and uninhabited. Our poet Dante himself was of this opinion, when, in the
ing
that
1

8th

canto

of the

Inferno,

he pictures the

death of Ulysses.
I

following pages, will learn of the marvels however, your Majesty

saw.

From

the

description of the chief lands and of various islands, of which ancient authors make no men-

1497^1 year from the incarnation of Our Lord, were discovered in the course of four ocean voyages undertaken by order of their Serene Highnesses of

tion, but

which

recently, in

the

Of these voyages, two Portugal. were through the western sea, by order of King
Spain and
the remaining two were through southern waters, by order of Manuel, King of Portugal. To the above-mentioned

Ferdinand of Castile

Ferdinand, King of Castile, Amerigo Vespucci, one of the foremost captains and com-

Lord

manders of that
account of the

fleet,

dedicates the

following

new

lands and islands.

88

The First Voyage

THE FIRST VOYAGE

IN the year of Our Lord 1497, on tne 2otn day of May, we set sail from the harbor of Cadiz
in four ships.

On

our

first

run, with the

wind
1

blowing between the south and the southwest

we made
at the

the islands formerly called the Fortunate Islands, but now the Grand Canary, situated

edge of the inhabited west and within the third climate. At this place, the North Pole
degrees above the horizon, the islands themselves being 280 leagues from the city of
rises

27^

Lisbon,
written.

in

which this present pamphlet was There we spent almost eight days,

providing ourselves with fuel and water and other necessary things. Then, after first offering our prayers to God, we raised and spread our sails to the wind, shaping our course to the west, with a point to southwest. kept on this

We

course for

some time, and

just as the

27th day

was past
land as

we reached an unknown land, the mainwe thought. It was distant from the
Grand Canary
i

islands of the

ooo

was inhabited, and was Torrid Zone. This we ascertained from the
or
less
;

it

leagues, more situated in the

following observations: that the North Pole rises 16 degrees above the horizon of this new
land,
it

and that

it is
the

75 degrees more to the west

to the point

Vespucci names
blows.

wind according

toward which

89

The First Voyage

than the islands of Grand Canary our instruments showed.
at least so all

Here we dropped the bow anchors and

tioned our fleet a league
shore.

sta-

and

half from the

boats, and,
fill-

We

then lowered a

few

ing them with armed men, we pulled as far as the land. The moment we approached, we rejoiced not a
little

to see hordes of

naked people

running along the shore. Indeed, all those whom we saw going about naked seemed also to be
exceedingly astonished at us, I suppose because they noticed that we wore clothing, and presented a different appearance from them. When they realized that we had actually arrived, they
all fled

and though we beckoned to them and made signs of peace and friendto a hill near

by

ship,

we

could not induce them to approach.

rapidly

When night closed

fear in trusting our

upon

us,

we

felt

some

ships in such a dangerous

roadstead, for there

was here no protection against

therefore

violent seas.

agreed to depart early the next morning in search of some harbor where we might station our ships in a safe
anchorage.
tion,

We

After

we had formed

this resolu-

spread our sails to a gentle breeze blowing along the shore, keeping land always in sight and continually seeing the inhabitants along the
beach.
days,

we

In this

way we
90

sailed

for

two whole
our

and discovered

a place quite suited to

The First Voyage

ships,

where we anchored only one-half a league from the land. Here we again saw countless
by and to speak with them, on that very day we approached the shore in our boats and skiffs, and
then
hordes of people.
Desiring to see

them

close

we

landed in

good

order,

about

forty

strong.

The

natives,

however, showed them-

selves very loath to

thing to do with us. induce them to speak with us or to enter upon

approach us or have anyWe could do nothing to

But finally, by any kind of communication. dint of much labor undertaken with this one
purpose in view,

we managed

to allure a

them by giving them

little bells

few of and mirrors and

trifles.

pieces of crystal and other such

In this

way they became quite easy about us. They now came to meet us, and in fact to treat concerning terms of peace and friendship. At nightfall we took leave of them and returned to our ships. The next day, when the sun was quite risen, we again saw upon the beach an endless number of

men and women,

dren with them.

the latter carrying their chilfurthermore noticed that

We

they were bringing with them all their household utensils, which will be described below in
their proper place.

The

nearer

we approached
natives jumped

the shore,
into

more and more of the

water
(for

the

there

are

many

expert
dis-

swimmers among them), and swam out the

The First Voyage

They received us kindly, and in fact mingled among us with as complete assurance as if we had often
us.

tance of a crossbow shot to meet

met before and had frequently had dealings together. At this we were then very little pleased.

And now
devote some
toms,

(so far as occasion permits), we shall of their cusspace to a

as

such

we were

description able to observe.

ON THE CUSTOMS OF THE NATIVES AND THEIR

MODE OF

LIFE

IN regard to their life and customs, all of them, both men and women, go about entirely naked, with no more covering for their private

when they were born. The men are of medium size, but are very well proportioned. The color of their skin approaches red, like the
parts than

hair of a lion,
their

and

believe that, if

it

were

custom to wear clothing, they would be as fairskinned as we are. They have no hair on
their body, with the exception of that

on the

head,

which

is

long and black, particularly that

of the women,
reason.

who

Their

are beautiful for this very features are not very handsome,

because they have broad cheek-bones like the Tartars. They do not allow any hair to grow

on their eyebrows nor their eyelids nor anywhere on their body (with the exception of the
head), for this
reason,

because they

deem

it

92

The First Voyage

coarse

and

animal-like

to

have hair

on the

body. All of them, both

ful in

men and women,

are grace-

Indeed, walking and swift in running. even their women (as we have often witnessed)

nothing of running a league or two, wherein they greatly excel us Christians. They
think
all

swim remarkably

well, in fact better than

;

one would believe possible

far better

and the

women

are

swimmers than the men,

can

a statement

make with authority, for we frequently saw them swim in the sea for two
which
I

leagues without any assistance whatsoever. Their weapons are the bow and arrow, which

they have learned to

make

very skillfully.

They

are unacquainted with iron and the metals, and consequently, in place of iron, they tip their arrows with the teeth of animals and fishes, and

often harden the arrows by burning their ends. They are expert archers, with the

they also

result that

they strike with their arrows whatever they aim at. In some places also the women are very skillful with the bow and arrow.

other weapons also, such as spears or stakes sharpened at the ends, and clubs with

They have

wonderfully carved heads.

They
speaking

are
a

wont

to

wage war upon neighbors

language, fighting

different

most

mercilessly and sparing none, except to reserve

93

The First Voyage

them

for

more

cruel torture later.

When

they

go forth to battle, they take their wives with them, not that they too may participate in the fight, but that they may carry behind the fighting

we

the necessary provisions. For, as ourselves have often seen, any woman among
all

men

them can

place on her back, and then carry for

thirty or forty leagues, a greater burden than a

(and even a strong man) can lift from the ground. They have no generals and no captains
;

man

in

fact,

since
to

every

one

is

his

own

leader, they

go forth

war

in

no

definite order.

never fight for power or territory, or for any other improper motive. Their one cause for war is an enmity of long standing, implanted

They

in them from olden times.

questioned the cause of such concerning hostility, they give no other reason except that it is to avenge the

When

Living as they do in perfect liberty, and obeying no man's word, they have neither king nor lord.
death of their ancestors.

however, especially inclined to war, and gird themselves for braver efforts when one of their own number is either a captive in the

They

are,

hands of the enemy or has been killed by them. In that case the oldest blood-relation of the prisoner or murdered

man

rises,

rushes forth into

the roads and villages, shouting and calling upon all, and urging them to hasten into battle with

94

The First Voyage

him

to avenge the death of his kinsman. All are quickly stirred to the same feeling, gird themselves for the fight and make a sudden dash

upon

their enemies.

They observe no laws, and execute no justice. They do not punish their evildoers; indeed, not
even the parents rebuke or chastise their children and, wonderful to relate, we several times
;

saw them quarrel among themselves. They are simple in their speech, but very shrewd and crafty. They speak rarely and when they do speak, it is in a low tone, using the same sounds On the whole they shape their words as we. either on the teeth or the lips, employing, of course, different words from those of our lan;

guage.

They have many

different idioms, for

we found

such a variety of tongues in every hundred leagues that they do not understand

one another.

They observe most

barbarous customs in their

eating ; indeed, they do not take their meals at any fixed hours, but eat whenever they are so
inclined,

whether it be day or night. At meals they recline on the ground, and do not use either
or

napkins, being entirely unacquainted with linen and other kinds of cloth. The food is served in earthen pots which they
tablecloths

make

themselves, or else in receptacles

made out
of large

of half-gourds.

They

sleep in a species

95

The First Voyage

net

made of

cotton and suspended in the air

and though this mode of sleeping may appear odd and uncomfortable, I testify that, on the
contrary,
it
is

very

pleasant

for

it

was
and
I

fre-

quently

my

lot to sleep in

such

nets,

had
us.

a feeling of greater under the coverlets

comfort then than

when

which we had with

In their person they are neat and clean, for the reason that they bathe very frequently.

In their sexual intercourse they have no legal obligations. In fact, each man has as many wives

and he can repudiate them later whenever he pleases, without its being considered
as

he

covets,

an injustice or disgrace, and the women enjoy the same rights as the men. The men are not
very jealous; they are, however, very sensual. The women are even more so than the men. I

have deemed
pass over in

it

best (in the

silence

their insatiable lust.

name of decency) to their many arts to gratify They are very prolific in

bearing children, and do not omit performing their usual labors and tasks during the period of

pregnancy.
pain,

They
is

so true

are delivered with very little this that on the very next day

they are completely recovered and In everywhere with perfect ease.

diately after the delivery they

move about fact, immesome stream

as

go

to

to wash,

and then come out of the water

96

The First Voyage

whole and

as

clean as fishes.

However, they

are of such a cruel nature

lent hatreds that, if the

and harbor such vio-

husbands chance to anger

them, they immediately commit some wrong.

instance, to appease their great wrath, they kill the fetus within their own wombs, and then

For

cause an abortion.

In this

way

countless

off-

spring are destroyed. They have handsome, wellproportioned and well-knit figures; indeed, no

blemish can possibly be discovered in them. No one of this race, as far as we saw, ob. . .

served any religious law. They can not justly be called either Jews or Moors nay, they are far
;

worse than the gentiles themselves or the pagans, for we could not discover that they performed
they had any special Since their life is places or houses of worship. so entirely given over to pleasure, I should style

any

sacrifices

nor

that

it

Epicurean. They hold

their

habitations

in

common.

Their dwellings are bell-shaped, and are strongly built of large trees fastened together, and covered
with palm
leaves,

which

offer

against the winds and storms.

ample protection In some places

these dwellings

were

so large that

we found

as

many

as six

hundred persons living

these dwellings

in a single

building.

Of all

we found
;

that

eight were most thickly populated in fact, that ten thousand souls lived within them at one and

97

The First Voyage

the same time.

Every eight or seven years they

move

the seat of their abodes.

When

asked the

reason for this, they gave a most natural answer. They said that it was on account of the continual heat

of a strong sun, and because, from

dwelling too long in the same place, the air became infected and contaminated, and brought about various diseases of the body. And in truth,
their point seemed to us to be well taken. Their riches consist of variegated birds'
feathers,
nosters},

and of

strings of beads (like our pater

fish

made of

bones, or

white stones.

These they wear as the forehead, or suspended from their

of green or ornaments on
lips

and

ears.

Many

other such useless

trifles

are con-

sidered riches

by them, things

to

attach
is

no value whatever.

Among

which we them there

is

neither buying nor selling, nor

there an

exchange of commodities, for they are quite content with what nature freely offers them.

They do

not value gold, nor pearls, nor gems, nor such other things as we consider precious here in Europe. In fact they almost despise them, and take no pains to acquire them. In giving,
they are by nature so very generous that they never deny anything that is asked of them. But as soon as they have admitted any one to
their friendship, they are just as eager to ask and to receive. The greatest and surest seal of their

98

The First Voyage

that they place at the disposal friendship is this of their friends their own wives and daughters,
:

both

parents
if

considering

themselves

highly

honored

any one deigns to lead their daughter

(even though yet a maiden) into concubinage. In this way (as I have said) they seal the bond

of their friendship. In burying the dead they follow many different customs. Some, indeed, follow the practice of inhumation, placing at the head water and food, for they believe that the dead will eat and

no further grief at their departure, and they perform no other In some places a most barbarous ceremonies. and inhuman rite is practised. When any one
subsist thereupon.

But there

is

of their fellow-tribesmen

is

believed to be at the

point of death, his relations take

great forest, where they place those nets in which they are
sleep.

him into some him in one of

accustomed to
thus reclining

They then suspend him

trees,

between two

dance around him for a

at nightfall return to their

whole day, and then

habitations,

man

leaving at the head of the dying water and food to last him about four days.

If at the end of this period the sick man can eat and drink, becomes convalescent, regains his
health, and returns to his

own

habitation, then

all his relations, whether by blood or marriage, welcome him with the greatest ceremonies. But

99

The First Voyage

there are few
severe an

who

ordeal.

can pass safely through so Indeed, no one ever visits

the sick

man

after

he

is

abandoned

in

the

Should he, therefore, chance to die, he receives no further burial. They have many other savage rites of burial, which I shall not
woods.
mention, to
prolix.

avoid the

charge

of being

too

In their sicknesses they employ many different kinds of medicines, so different from ours

and so discordant with our ideas that

dered not a
survive.
little

we won-

For, as

how any one could possibly we learned from frequent ex-

them is sick with fever, they immerse and bathe him in very cold water just when the fever is at its height. Then they compel him to run back and forth for two hours
perience, if any one of

around a very warm fire until he is fairly aglow with heat, and finally lead him off to sleep. We

saw very many of them restored

this

to

health by
practise

treatment.

Very frequently they

also dieting as

one of their cures, for they can do without food and drink for three or four
days.

Again, they
their

commonly draw

blood, not

arms (with the exception of the shoulder-blade), but from their loins and the
calves

from

of their

legs.

Often they bring about

vomiting by chewing certain herbs which they use as medicines and they have, in addition,
;

ICO

The First Voyage

many

other cures and remedies which

it

would

be tedious to enumerate.

They

are full-blooded and phlegmatic,

owing
of

to the food they eat,

roots, fruits, herbs,

which
fishes

consists chiefly

and

of different kinds.
food
a certain

They do
grain.

not raise crops of spelt or of any other

Their most

common

is

which they grind and which some of the

root

into a fairly good flour natives call iucha, others

chambi,

and

still

others ygnami.

rarely eat flesh, with the flesh ; and in this they are so

They very exception of human

inhuman and
either kill
so

savage
deed,

as to
all

outdo even the wild animals.

In-

or they the men without between capture, discriminating and the women, are relished by them with such
savageness that nothing more barbarous and cruel can either be seen or heard of. Time and

the enemies

whom

again

it

fell

to

my

lot

to

see

them engaged

in this savage expressed their

and brutal practice, while they

wonder that we did not likewise eat our enemies. Your royal Majesty may rest assured on this point, that their numerous customs are
all so

barbarous that
here.

can not describe

them adequately
the many,
ages

many

things

Therefore, considering saw in my four voy-

things so entirely different

I

toms and manners

1

from our cushave prepared and comand ignami.

The

Italian text gives iuca, cazabi,

101

The First Voyage

pleted
a

work which

have entitled "

I I

The

Four Voyages.'*

In this book

have collected

the greater part of the things described them as clearly as

saw, and have my small ability

would permit.
it

as yet.

have not, however, published In this work, each topic is given

I

more
fore

careful
in

and individual attention, and therepresent pamphlet

I

merely touch upon them, making only general statements. And so I return to complete the account of our
first

the

shall

voyage, from which

have

made

a short digression.

In the beginning of our voyage we did not see anything of great value except a few traces of gold, and this only because they pointed out
to us several proofs

of

its

existence in the

soil.

I suppose we should have learned much more, had we been able to understand their language.

In truth, this land is so happily situated that it could not be improved. unanimously leave it and to continue our agreed, however, to

We

voyage further. And so, keeping land always in sight, and tacking frequently, we visited many
ports,

the meanwhile entering upon communications with many different tribes of those
in

regions.

After some days

it

harbor in which

we made a certain pleased God to deliver us

this harbor,

from a great danger. As soon as we entered

IO2

we

dis-

The First Voyage

covered that their whole population, that is to say, the entire village, had houses built in the
water, as at Venice.

There were

in all about

twenty large houses, built in the shape of bells we have said above), and resting firmly upon (as
strong

wooden

piles.

In front of the doors of

each house drawbridges had been erected, over which one could pass from one hut to another
as if

over a well-constructed road.

As soon

as

the inhabitants of this settlement noticed us they

were seized with great

raised

fear,

and immediately

the
us,

While we were watching their actions with some degree of wonder, lo and behold
about twelve of their boats (which are hollowed out of the trunk of a single tree) came over the

against houses.

drawbridges to defend themselves and hid themselves within their

water to
boats

meet
at

us.

looked

us

occupants of these and at our clothes with

The

wonder, and rowed about us in every direction, but continued to examine us from a distance.

We

on our part were similarly observing them, making many signs of friendship to urge them
to approach us without fear. But it was of no avail. their reluctance, we began to row Seeing in their direction. They did not await our

but immediately fled to the shore, making signs to us that we should await their return, which (they signified) would be shortly. Therearrival,
x

<>3

The First Voyage

upon they hurried to a nearby hill, returning thence accompanied by sixteen maidens. With these they embarked in the above-mentioned

Of the boats and straightway returned to us. maidens, four were then placed in each one of
our ships, a proceeding which, as your Majesty may well believe, astonished us not a little.

Then they went back and

our ships with their canoes, and spoke to us in such kindly manner that we began to consider them
forth

among

our trusty friends. While all this was going on, behold a large crowd began to swim from their
houses (already described) and to advance in our direction. Though they advanced further and
further,
ships,

and though they were

now

nearing our

we

entertained not the slightest suspicion

however, we saw some old women standing at the doors of their houses, shouting wildly and filling the air with
of their actions.

At

this point,

their cries,

and tearing their hair in great

to

distress.

We

now began

suspect

that

some

great

danger was threatening. Immediately the girls who had been placed on board our ships leaped into the sea. Those who were in the canoes pulled off a short distance, drew their bows and
a vigorous attack upon us. Moreover, those who had started from their houses

began to make

and were swimming over the sea toward us, were, each one of them, carrying a lance under
104

The First Voyage

water.

and we
spirit,

This was sure proof of their treachery, began not only to defend ourselves with
inflict

but also to In
fact,

serious injuries

upon
occu-

them.

we wrecked and
loss

sank

many of

the canoes, with great

pants,
a loss

of

life to their

which became even

greater be-

cause the natives abandoned their canoes entirely and swam to the shore. About twenty of them

were killed and many more were wounded. Of ours only five were injured, all of whom were restored to health, with the help of God. managed to capture two of the girls and three

We

men.

Later

we

visited the houses

of the

settle-

ment, and upon entering found them occupied only by two old women and a sick man. We
did not set
that
us.
fire

to

the houses for this reason,

we

feared lest our consciences

would prick

We

then returned to the ships with our

five captives
girls.

and put them in irons, except the At night, however, both girls and one

of the

men

very shrewdly effected their escape.

agreed to leave that port and to sail on along the coast. After a run of about eighty leagues we came to another
tribe entirely different

On

the following day

we

from the former

anchored the

in lanfleet

guage and customs.

We

and

we saw
beach.

approached the shore in our small boats. a crowd of about 4,000 persons on the

Here

As soon

as

they realized that

105

we were

The First Voyage

about to land, they no longer remained where they were, but fled to the woods and forests,

abandoning on the shore everything which they had had with them. Leaping upon the land,

we advanced
about
as

along a road leading to the forest soon came far as a crossbow shot.

We

upon many

tents

which had been pitched there

by that tribe for the fishing season. Within them, many fires had been built for cooking their meals, and animals and fishes of various
kinds were being roasted.

Among

other things

we saw

that a certain animal

was being roasted

which looked very much like a serpent, except for the wings which were missing. It looked so strange and so terrible that we greatly wondered at its wild appearance. Proceeding onward
through their
tents,

we found many

similar ser-

pents, whose feet were tied and whose mouths were muzzled so that they could not open them, as is done with dogs and other wild animals that

Their whole appearance was so savage that we, supposing them to be poisonous, did not dare approach them. They are like a young goat in size, and half as long again as an arm. Their feet are very large and
they

may

not

bite.

their heavy, and are armed with strong claws skin is varicolored their mouth and face like
; ;

those of a serpent. to the tip of their

From
tail
1

the end of the nose

they are covered (along

06

The First Voyage

the back) with a kind of bristle, from decided that they were truly serpents.

which we

And

yet

the

above-mentioned tribe
tribe

eats

them.
fishes

same

makes bread from the

That which

they catch in the sea, the process being as follows First of all they place the fish in water and boil it for some time ; then they pound it
:

and crush

it

and make

it

into small cakes

which

they bake upon hot ashes and which they then eat. Upon tasting them we found them to be

not at

all

bad.

They have many

other kinds of
it

food, including different fruits and herbs, but would take too long to describe them.

Although the natives did not reappear from the woods to which they had fled, we did not take away any of their possessions, in order that we might increase their confidence in us.

But to return

to our story.

In

fact,

we

left

many

small

trifles

in their tents, placing

them

where they would be

to our ships.

seen,

and

at

night returned

On

began to

rise

the next day, when Titan above the horizon, we saw a

upon the shore. We immediately landed; and though the natives still appeared to be somewhat afraid of us, yet they mingled among us, and began to deal and to
countless multitude

converse with us with complete security. They signified to us that they would be our friends,
that the tents

which we saw were not

107

their real

The First Voyage

houses, and that they
fish.

had come

to the shore to

Therefore they begged us to accompany

to

them

their

villages,

assuring us that they

friends.

wished to welcome

us as

We

were

made ship which they had conceived

arrest

to understand that the cause of the friend-

for us

was our

of those two prisoners, be enemies of theirs. And

who
so,

turned out to

seeing the per-

sistence

with which they asked us, twenty-three of us decided to go with them, fully armed and with the firm resolve to die valiantly if need be.

remaining there for three days, we marched inland with them for three leagues and came to a village consisting of but nine habitaAfter

There we were received with such numerous and such barbarous ceremonies that my pen is too weak to describe them. For instance, we were welcomed with dances and with
tions.

songs, with lamentations mingled with cries of

joy and of happiness, with

much

feasting

and

banqueting. Here we rested for the night, and the natives most generously offered us their After we had remained that wives. .
. .

night and half of the next day, a large and wondering crowd came to look at us, without hesitation

and

fear.

Their elders

now

asked us to

go with them to their other

ther inland, to

villages situated far-

an easy task

which we again agreed. It is not to recount the honors which they

1

08

The First Voyage

In short, we went about in their company for nine whole days, visiting very many of their settlements, with the

showered upon us here.

we afterward learned), our companions whom we had left in the ships began to
result that (as

be

very

anxious

about

us

and to

entertain

serious fears for our safety.

And

so, after

hav-

ing penetrated about eighteen leagues into the interior of the country, we decided to make our way back to the ships. On our return a great

crowd of men and women met us and accompanied us all the way to the sea, a fact which is of itself very remarkable. But there is more.
happened that one of our company would lag behind from weariness, the natives came to his assistance and carried him most
it

Whenever

zealously in those nets in which they sleep. In crossing the rivers, too (which in their country
are very numerous and very large), they were so careful with the contrivances they employed
that

we

over,
gifts,

never feared the slightest danger. Moremany of them, laden down with their

which they carried in those same nets, accompanied us. The gifts consisted of feathers of very great value, of many bows and arrows,

and of numberless parrots of different colors. Many others, also, were bringing their household goods and their animals. In fine, they all
reckoned themselves fortunate
109
if,

in

crossing a

The First Voyage

stream, they could bear us on their shoulders or on their backs.

However, we hastened to the sea as quickly As we were about to embark in as possible. our boats, so great was the crowding of the
natives in their attempt to accompany us still further and to embark with us and visit our
ships, that our boats

were almost swamped by the load. We took on board, however, as many as we could accommodate and brought them to
our ships. In addition to those

whom we

had

on board, so many of them accompanied us by swimming that we were somewhat troubled by

their approach
;

for,

about a thousand of them

boarded our ships (naked and unarmed though they were), and examined with wonder our

equipment and arrangements and the great

of the ships themselves.
thing happened. of our war engines and
put a

size

And

then

a laughable

We

desired to shoot off

artillery,

some

and therefore
off with

match

to the guns.

These went

such a loud report that a large portion of the

natives,

upon hearing
and

this

new

thunder, leaped

swam away, like frogs sitting on the bank, which jump into the bottom of the marsh and hide the moment they are
into the water
startled
natives.

by

noise.

In

this

way

acted

the

Those

natives

who had
10

fled to

another

portion of the ships were so thoroughly fright1

The First Voyage

ened that we repented and chid ourselves for what we had done. But we quickly reassured

them, and did not permit them to remain any longer in ignorance, explaining that it was with
these guns that

we

killed our enemies.

After entertaining our ships, we warned

them the whole day upon them to depart because we

intended to

during the night; whereupon they took leave of us in a most friendly and saw and learned very many kindly manner.
sail

We

customs of

this tribe

and region, but

it is

not

my

intention to dwell

upon them

here.

Your

Majesty will be in a position to learn later of all the more wonderful and noteworthy things I

saw in each of

my

them

in

one work

voyages ; for I have collected written after the manner of a

" The Four geographical treatise and entitled Voyages." In this work I give individual and detailed descriptions, but I have not yet offered
it

to the public because I

must

still

revise

it

and

verify

my

statements.
is

That land
everywhere

very thickly populated,

and

filled

with

many

different animals,

very unlike those of our country.

In

common

with us they have lions, bears, stags, pigs, goats, and fallow deer, which are, however, distinguished from ours by certain differences.
are
entirely
asses,

They

unacquainted with horses, mules, and all kinds of small cattle dogs, (such as

in

The First Voyage

sheep and the like), and cows and oxen. They have, however, many species of animals which
it

would be difficult to name, all of them wild and of no use to them in their domestic affairs. But why say more ? The land is very rich in birds, which are so numerous and so large, and

have plumes of such different kinds and colors, that to see and describe them fills us with

wonder.
perate
forests

The
the

climate, moreover,

is

very tem-

and

land

fertile,

full

of immense

and groves, which are always green, for

fall.

the leaves never

The
from

fruits are countless

and entirely
self
is

different

ours.

The

land

it-

situated in the torrid zone,

on the edge

of the second climate, precisely on the parallel which marks the tropic of Cancer, where the Pole rises twenty-three degrees above the horizon.
us,

During
marveling

this
at

voyage many came to look at the whiteness of our skin.

they asked us whence we came, we answered that we had descended from heaven to

And when

pay the earth a

lieved

visit,

a statement

which was be-

on

all sides.

We

established in this land

many baptismal fonts or baptisteries, in which they made us baptize countless numbers, calling us in their own tongue " charaibi," that is to say, "men of great wisdom." The country itself is called by them "Farias." Later we left that harbor and land, sailing
I

12

The First Voyage

along shore and keeping land always in view.

870 leagues, making many tacks and treating and dealing with numerous tribes.
sailed for

We
In

obtained gold, but not in for it sufficed us for the present great quantities to discover those lands and to know that there

many

places

we

was gold therein. And since by that time we had already been thirteen months on our voyage,
and since the

much

and rigging were very the worse for wear and the men were retackle

duced by fatigue,

we unanimously

agreed to
at

repair our small boats

(which were leaking

every point) and to return to Spain. Just as we had reached this conclusion, we neared and
entered the finest harbor in the world.

Here

again met a countless multitude, who received us in a very friendly manner. On the beach we built a new boat with material taken

we

from the other ships and from

barrels

and

casks,

placed upon dry land our rigging and military engines, which were almost rotting away in the

drew them up on Then we repaired them and patched land. them, and gave them a thorough overhauling. During all these occupations the inhabitants of the country gave us no slight assistance. Indeed,
water, lightened our ships and

they offered us provisions out of friendship and unasked, so that we consumed very little of our

own

supplies.

This

we

considered a great boon,

The First Voyage

for our supplies at this stage were rather too meager to enable us to reach Spain without
stinting ourselves.

remained in that port thirty-seven days, frequently visiting the villages in company with
the natives and being treated with great respect

We

by each and every one of them. When we at last expressed our intention to leave that harbor

and to resume our voyage, the natives complained to us that there was a certain savage and
hostile tribe,

which,

at a certain

time of the year,

came over the

sea to their

land,

and

either

through treachery or through violence killed and devoured a great number of them. They added that others were led off
as

the enemy's country and home, could not defend themselves against these enemies,

prisoners to and that they

making

us understand that that tribe in-

habited an island about one hundred leagues out at sea. They related their story to us in such
pity on them and believed them, promising that we should exact punishment for the injuries inflicted upon
plaintive

tones

that

we

took

them.
their

Whereat they

own

greatly rejoiced and of accord offered to accompany us.

We

agreeing to seven with us on the following condition

reasons,
at the close

refused

for

several

take
:

that

of the expedition they should return

to their country alone

and in their own canoes,

114

The First Voyage

for

we

did not by any

means intend

to take the

trouble of bringing them back. To this condition they gladly assented, and so we took leave of the natives, who had become our dear
friends,

and departed.

We
days,

sailed about in our refitted ships for seven

with the wind blowing between the northAt the end of this period we east and east. reached many islands, of which some were inthereupon apof them and while one proached endeavoring to anchor our ships we saw a great horde of
;

habited and

others

not.

We

people on the island, which the inhabitants call After examining them for some time, we Ity.

manned the
was
all

small boats with brave

men and
which

three guns, and

filled

rowed nearer the

shore,

with 400

men and

very

many women,

went about naked. The men were well built, and seemed very warlike and brave, for they were all equipped with
of
(like the others)

whom

their usual

arms, namely, the

bow and arrow

and the lance.

Very many of them, moreover, bore round shields or even square shields, with which they defended themselves so skillfully

that they were not hindered thereby in shooting their arrows.

When we

had come in our boats to within

bowshot of the land, they leaped into the sea and shot an infinite number of arrows at us,

"5

The First Voyage

might and main to prevent our Their bodies were all painted over landing. with many colors, and were decorated with The natives whom we had birds' feathers. taken with us noticed this and informed us that whenever the men are so painted and adorned
endeavoring

with plumes they are ready for battle. They were, however, so successful in preventing our landing that we were compelled to direct our

When stone-hurling machines against them. heard the and noticed its they report power
(for

many of them had

fallen

dead), they fled to

then held a consultation, and forty-two of us agreed to land after them and This valiantly to engage in battle with them.
the shore.

We

we

did.

We

leaped to the shore fully armed

and the natives made such stout resistance that

the battle raged ceaselessly for almost two hours

with varying fortune. We gained a signal victory over them, but only a very few of the natives were killed, and not by us but by our

cross-bowmen and gunners, which was due to

the fact that they very shrewdly avoided our But at last we made a rush spears and swords.

upon them with such vigor

that

we

killed

many

with the points of our swords. When they saw this, and when very many had been killed and

wounded, they turned

forests, leaving us

in flight to the

woods and

masters of the
116

field.

We

did

The First Voyage

not wish to pursue them any further that day because we were too fatigued and preferred to

make our way back

of the seven

to our ships.

who had come

the joy with us from the

And

mainland was so great that they could scarcely

restrain themselves.

Early the next day

we saw

a great

horde of

people approaching through the island, playing on horns and other instruments which they use
in

war, and again painted and wearing birds'

It

feathers.

was

wonderful sight to

see.

We
:

again discussed what their plans might be, and decided upon the following course of action
to gather our forces quickly if the natives offered

us any hostility turns and in the

to

keep

constant

watch
as

in

meantime

to endeavor to

make

them our
if

friends, but to treat

them
;

enemies

and finally to they rejected our friendship capture as many of them as we could and make
and keep them
as

our slaves forever.

And

so

we

gathered upon the shore in hollow formation, armed to the teeth. They, however, did
not oppose the slightest resistance to our landing, I suppose on account of their fear of our

Upon disembarking, fifty-seven strong, we advanced against them in four divisions (each man under his respective captain), and
guns.

engaged in them.

long hand-to-hand combat with

117

The First Voyage

After
a

long

which we

inflicted great loss

the rest to flight

during we them, upon put and pursued them as far as one

struggle,

and

severe

of their settlements.

Here we made twenty-five

and returned to
losses

prisoners, set fire to the village,

the ships with our captives.

The

of the
;

enemy were very many

on our
side,

killed

and wounded

however, only one

man was

killed,

and twenty-two were wounded, all of whom have regained their health, with the help of

God.

Our arrangements
erland

for the return to our fath-

were now complete. To the seven natives who had come with us from the mainland (five of whom had been wounded in the
aforesaid battle),

we

gave seven prisoners, three

men and
in a boat

four

women.
filled

And

which they had

they, embarking seized on the island,

returned

home

with great joy and with

set sail great admiration for our strength. for Spain, and at last entered the harbor of

We

Cadiz with our two hundred and twenty-two prisoners, on the 25th day of October, in the year of Our Lord 1499, where we were received with great rejoicing, and where
all

we

sold

our prisoners.

And
the

these are

what

have deemed to be
of

more

noteworthy incidents
118

my

first

voyage.

The Second Voyage

THE SECOND VOYAGE THE

my

following pages contain an account of second voyage and of the noteworthy inci-

dents which befell

me in the course of that voyage.

from the harbor of Cadiz, in the year of Our Lord 1489 (sic), on a May day As soon as we cleared the harbor, we shaped our course for the Cape Verde Islands; and
set sail

We

passing

in sight

of the islands of the Grand

sailed

Canary group, we

on

island called Fire Island.

plies

we reached the Here we took on supuntil

of fuel and of water, and resumed our voyage with a southwest wind. After nineteen days we
reached a
mainland.

new
It

land,

which we took

to

be the

was situated opposite to that land of which mention has been made in our first
voyage and it is within the Torrid Zone, south of the equinoctial line, where the pole rises five
;

degrees above the horizon beyond every climate. The land is 500 leagues to the southwest of the

above-mentioned

islands.

discovered that in this country the day is of the same length as the night on the 27th of

We

June,

when the sun is on the Tropic of Moreover, we found that the country is,

Cancer.

measure, marshy and that it abounds rivers, which cause it to have very thick vegetation and very high and straight trees. In fact,
119

in great in large

The Second Voyage

the

growth

could not at

of vegetation was such that we the time decide whether or not the

stopped our ships country was inhabited. and anchored them, and then lowered some of
our small boats in which

We

we made

for the land.

We

hunted long for a landing, going here and there and back and forth, but, as has already
found the land everywhere so covered with water that there was not a single spot that
said,

been

We saw, however, along was not submerged. the banks of those rivers many indications that
the land

was not only inhabited, but indeed

could not disemvery thickly populated. bark to examine such signs of life more closely,

We

and therefore

agreed to return to our ships,

which we

did.

along the coast

weighed anchor and sailed with the wind blowing east and
and again, in a course of
into the

We

southeast, trying time

more than
island

forty leagues, to penetrate But all to no purpose. itself.

For we

found in that part of the ocean so strong a current flowing from southeast to northwest that
the sea was quite unfit for navigation. When we discovered this difficulty, we held a council

and determined to turn back and head our ships to the northwest. So we continued to sail
along shore and finally reached a body of water having an outer harbor and a most beautiful
island at the entrance.

120

We
noticed
island,

sailed

across the outer

harbor that

might enter the inner haven.

a

horde of natives

In so doing, on the aforesaid

we we

We

about four leagues inland from the sea. were greatly pleased and got our boats

While we were thus engaged, ready to land. we noticed a canoe coming in from the open
sea

with many persons on board, which made us resolve to attack them and make them our

prisoners.

We

therefore began to

sail

in

their

direction and to surround them, lest they might escape us. The natives in their turn bent to their

paddles and, as the breeze continued to blow but moderately, we saw them raise their oars
straight

on high, as if to say that they would I suppose remain firm and offer us resistance.
that they did this in order to rouse admiration in us. But when they became aware that we

were approaching nearer and nearer, they dipped their paddles into the water and made for the land. Among our ships there was a very swift boat of about forty-five tons, which was so headed that
she soon got to windward of the natives. When the moment for attacking them had come, they got ready themselves and their gear and rowed off. Since our ship
natives,

now went beyond the canoe of the

Having

these attempted to effect their escape. lowered some boats and filled them with

brave men, thinking that

121

we would

catch them,

The Second Voyage

we

soon bore

down on them, but though we

pur-

sued them for two hours, had not our caravel which had passed them turned back on them When they would have entirely escaped us. they saw that they were hemmed in on all sides by our small boats and by the ship, all of them
(about twenty in number) leaped into the water, albeit they were still about two leagues out at
sea.

We

pursued them with our boats for that

and yet we managed to capture only two of them, the rest reaching land in safety. In the canoe which they had abandoned, there
entire day,

were four youths, who did not belong to the same tribe, but had been captured in another
land.

These

youths

had

recently had

their

virile parts
little

removed,

a fact

which caused

us

no

astonishment.

When we

had taken them

gave us to understand by signs that they had been carried off to be devoured, adding that this wild, cruel, and cannibal tribe were called " Cambali."
ships, they

on board our

the canoe in tow, and advanced with our ships to within half a league of the shore, where we halted and dropped our anchors.

We then took
saw

When we

very great throng of people roaming on the shore, we hastened to reach land in our small boats, taking with us the two men
a

we had found in the canoe that we had attacked. The moment we set foot on dry land, they all
122

The Second Voyage

fled in great fright

to the groves near

hid in their recesses.

captives

We

by and then gave one of the

permission to leave us, loading him with very many gifts for the natives with whom

we

desired to be friends,
bells

among which were

little

and

plates

of metal and numerous

not to entertain

mirrors.
tell

We
on

instructed him, furthermore, to

the natives
fear

who had

fled

our account, because we were Our greatly desirous of being their friends. messenger departed and fulfilled his mission so

any

well that the entire tribe, about four hundred

in

number, came

to us

from out of the

forest,

accompanied by many women. Though unarmed, they came to where we were stationed with our small boats, and we became so friendly that we restored to them the second of the two men whom we had captured, and likewise sent
companions, in whose possession it was, to return to the natives the canoe which we had run down. This canoe was holinstructions to our

lowed out of the trunk of a single tree, and had been fashioned with the greatest care. It was
twenty-six paces long and two ells (bracchia) As soon as the natives had recovered wide.
possession of their canoe and had placed it in a secure spot along the river bank, they unex-

pectedly fled from us and would no longer have anything to do with us. By such an uncivilized
123

The Second Voyage

we knew them to be men of bad faith. Among them we saw a little gold, which they
act,

wore suspended from

their ears.

We
ships,

left that

country, and after sailing about

a safe

eighty leagues

we found
entering
natives

upon numbers of

anchorage for our which we saw such

it

that

was

wonderful

sight.

immediately made friends with them and visited in their company many of their vil-

We

where we were honorably and heartily welcomed. Indeed, we bought of them five hundred large pearls in return for one small In bell, which we gave them for nothing.
lages,
1

that land they drink wine made from fruits and seeds, which is like that made from chickpeas,

or like white or red beer.

The

better kind of

wine, however, is made from the choicest fruits of the myrrh tree. ate heartily of these

We

fruits

ant

and of many others that were both pleasto the taste and nourishing, for we had

arrived at the proper season. This island greatly abounds in what they use for food and utensils,

and the people themselves were well mannered and more peacefully inclined than any other
tribe

we

met.

We
J

spent seventeen days in this harbor very

pleasantly,
So the Latin
*

and
text,

each

day a great number of

to

which seems

be in error.
' '

The

Italian ver-

sion having,

which they gave us

for nothing.

I2 4

The Second Voyage

people would come to us to marvel at our appearance, the whiteness of our skins, our clothes

and weapons, and at the great size of our Indeed, they even told us that one of the
hostile to

ships.
tribes

them

lived

further to the west, and

pearls
;

possessed an infinite those pearls which

number of
they

and that

themselves possessed had been taken from these enemies in the course

of wars which they had waged against them. They gave us further information as to how the
pearls

were fished and

to

how

they grew,
as

all

of

which we found

be true,

your Majesty
along the

will learn later on.

We
coast,

left

that harbor

and

sailed

on which we always saw many people. Continuing on our course, we entered a harbor
one of our
natives,
ships.

for the purpose of repairing

Here again

we saw many

whom we
at-

could neither force nor coax to communicate

with us in any way.

For, if

we made any

tampt to land, they resisted most desperately; and if they could not withstand our attack, they fled to the woods, never waiting for us to approach any nearer.
ageness,
sailing
at sea

we on, we saw

Realizing their utter savWhile we were thus departed.

an island
visit it

fifteen

and resolved to
it

leagues out and learn whether

or not

was inhabited.
to be

Upon

found

it

inhabited by
125

reaching it we a race of most

The Second Voyage

animallike
simplicity,

and

at

the same
rites

time

very obliging and kind, whose

are the following:

and customs

ON THE RITES AND

CUSTOMS OF THIS TRIBE.

animallike in their appearance and actions, and had their mouths full of a certain

They were
herb
as

green

upon

which they continually chewed animals chew their cud, with the result

Moreover, each one had of them suspended from his neck two small dried gourds, one of which contained a supply
that they could not speak.

of that herb which they were chewing, while the other contained a kind of white flour re-

sembling plaster or white lime. Every now and then they would thrust into the gourd filled

with

flour a

small stick whose end they had

moistened in their mouths.

By

so

managed to gather some of the flour into their mouths, powdering with

doing they and put it

this

flour

that herb which they were already chewing.

They

repeated this process at short intervals and though we wondered greatly, we could not
;

see any reason for their so doing, nor could understand their secret.

we

This
us

tribe

came

to us

and treated us

as famil-

iarly as if they

and

as if

had frequently had dealings with they had long been friendly with us.
with them along the shore, talking
126

We

strolled

The Second Voyage

while, and expressed our desire to drink some fresh water. To which they answered, by

the

signs, that there

fering us in
as

its

was none in their country, ofstead some herb and flour such

now understood that they were chewing. since their country lacked water, they chewed that herb and flour to quench their thirst. And
so
it

We

happened

that,

that shore in their

though we walked along company for a day and a half,

we

any spring water, and learned that such water as they did drink was
across

never came

the

dew which gathered upon

certain leaves havears.

ing the shape of a donkey's

night these leaves were filled with dew, of

the people then drank, and
in
it is

During the which very good. But

places these leaves are not found. This tribe is entirely unacquainted with the solid products of the earth, and live chiefly on

many

the fish

which they catch

in the sea.

Indeed

there are

many

expert fishermen
fish,

and their waters abound in

offered

among them, of which they

us

many

turtles

excellent varieties.

The

and many other most women of the tribe,

;

however, do not chew the herb as the men do in its place, each one of them carries a single

with water, of which they partake from time to time. They do not have villages

gourd

filled

composed of individual houses, nor do they have even small huts. Their only shelter is made of
127

The Second Voyage

serve indeed to protect them against the heat of the sun, but are not a sufficient protection against the rains, from which it
large leaves,

which

may be deduced
country.
fish,

that there

is little

rain in that
sea to

When

they

each one brings large end of it in the one that, by fixing ground and then turning the leaf to follow the sun, he procures underneath its shade ample relief from the
In this island, finally, there are great heat. countless species of animals, all of which drink
the water of the marshes.
Seeing, however, that there was nothing to be gained on that island, we left it and found

come down to the with him a leaf so

another one.
for

We

landed and started to search

drink, believing the island to be uninhabited because we had seen

some

fresh water to

no one

as

we approached

it.

But

as

we were

walking along the shore, we came upon some very large footprints, from which we judged that, if the other members of the body were in
proportion to the size of the feet, the inhabitants must be very large indeed. Continuing

our walk along the sands,

we

discovered a road

leading inland, along which nine of us decided to go to explore the island, because it did not seem to be very large nor very thickly populated.

After advancing along that road about a league, we saw five houses situated in a valley
128

The Second Voyage

and apparently inhabited. Entering them we found five women, two of them old and three

young

and

all

of them were of such large and

noble stature that

greatly astonished. As soon as they laid eyes upon us they were so overcome with surprise that they had no strength

we were

left for flight.

Thereupon the old woman ad-

dressed us soothingly in their own tongue, and, gathering in one hut, offered us great quantities of food. All of them, in truth, were taller than
a very tall

man
degli

indeed, they
Albizi, and

were
better

as

tall

as

Francesco

knit

and

better proportioned than

we

are.

When we
to

had

observed
girls

all this,

we

agreed to seize the young

by force and objects of wonder.

to bring

them

Castile as

While we were

still

deliberating,

behold

about thirty-six men began to file through the door of the house, men much larger than the women and so magnificently built that it was a
joy to see them.

These men caused us such

great uneasiness that we considered it safer to return to our ships than to remain in their com-

For they were armed with immense bows and arrows, and with stakes and staffs the As soon as they had all ensize of long poles.
pany.
tered, they
if plotting

began
to

to talk

among

themselves

as

take

us

prisoners,

which we,

too, held

a consultation.

upon seeing Some were

129

The Second Voyage

of the opinion that we should fall upon them within the hut itself; just where they were, others disapproved of this entirely, and suggested that the attack be made out of doors and and still others declared that we in the open
;

should not force an engagement until we learned what the natives decided to do. During the
discussion of these plans

we

left

the hut disguis-

ing our feelings and our intentions, and began to make our way back to the ships. The natives

followed

at a stone's
I

themselves.

was no
us

less

throw, always talking among believe, however, that their fear than ours; for, although they kept
distance, not

in sight, they remained at a advancing a single step unless

we

did

like-

wise.

the ships natives immediately leaped into the sea and shot But now very many of their arrows after us.

When, however, we had reached and had boarded them in good order,

the

we had

not the slightest fear of them. rather to frighten than to kill them,

we

Indeed, shot

two of our guns

at

them

and upon hearing the

Thus report they hastily fled to a hill nearby. it was that we escaped from them and departed. These natives, like the others, also go about
naked
;

and

we

called the island the Island of

its

the Giants, on account of the great size of

inhabitants.

We

continued our voyage further, sailing a

130

little

further off shore than before and

to

compelled and then because they did not want us to take By this time anything out of their country.

being the with enemy every now engage

thoughts of revisiting Castile began to enter our minds, particularly for this reason, that we had now been almost a year at sea and that we had
very small
necessaries
all

quantities
left.

of provisions and other Even what still remained was

spoiled and

damaged by the extreme heat

which we had suffered. For, ever since our departure from the Cape Verde Islands, we had continually sailed in the Torrid Zone, and had
twice crossed the equator,
as

we have

said above.
it

While we were
the
as

in this state of

mind,

pleased

Holy

Spirit to relieve us

of our labors.

For,

we were

searching for a suitable

haven where-

in to repair our ships,

we

reached a tribe which

received us with the greatest demonstrations of learned, moreover, that they friendship.

We

were the
pearls.

possessors of countless large Oriental

We

therefore remained
days,

among them
1 1

forty-seven

and

bought

marcs

of

pearls at a price

which, according to our estimation, was not greater than forty ducats, for we
gave them in payment little bells, mirrors, bits of crystals, and very thin plates of electrum.
Indeed, each one would give

had for one

little bell.

We

the pearls he also learned from

all

The Second Voyage

them how and where the

they gave us several of

pearls were fished, and the shells in which they

shells

grow.

We

bought some

in

addition,

finding as many as 130 pearls in some, and in Your Majesty must others not quite so many. know that unless the pearls grow to full maturity

and of their

own

accord

fall

from the

shells

in

which they

are born, they

Otherwise, as I experience time and again, they soon dry up and leave no trace. When, however, they have grown
perfect.

cannot be quite have myself found by

to full maturity, they drop from the fleshy part into the shell, except the part by which it

hung attached
pearls.

to the flesh

and these are the best

At the end of the

forty-seven days, then,

we

took leave of that tribe with which

come such good

on account

friends,

and

set

we had besail for home

of our

lack

of provisions.

We

reached the island of Antiglia, which Christo-

pher Columbus had discovered a few years before. Here we remained two months and two
days in straightening out our
affairs

ing our ships.

During this many annoyances from the Christians that island, all of which I shall here
in silence that I
left

and repairtime we endured

settled

on

pass over

may not be

too prolix.

We

that island

voyage of a

on the 2/th of July, and after a month and a half we at last entered

The Third Voyage

the harbor of Cadiz on the 8th of September, where we were received with great honor.

And

so

ended

my

second voyage, according

to the will of God.

THE THIRD VOYAGE

I

HAD

taken up

my abode in Seville, desiring to

myself a little, to recover from the toils and hardships endured in the voyages described above,
rest

intending finally to

revisit

the land of pearls.

But Fortune was by no means done with me. For some reason unknown to me she caused his

most serene Lordship, Manuel, King of Portugal, to

send

me

a special

messenger bearing a

go to Lisbon as soon as possible, because he had some I did important facts to communicate to me. not even consider the proposition, but immediately sent word by the same messenger that I
urgently

letter

which

begged

me

to

was not feeling very well and in

that

fact

was

ill

at

moment adding
;

that, if I
still

should regain

my

health and if

it

should

please

His Royal

Majesty to enlist my services, I should gladly undertake whatever he wished. Whereupon

the King,
to

him
1

that he could not bring me just then, sent to me a second time,

who saw

commissioning Giuliano Bartolomeo Giocondo

Probably a relative of Fra Giovanni, a Dominican, later Franciscan friar, architect, and archasologist, associated with Raphael and Sangallo in the erection of St. Peter's, builder of a bridge across the Seine and collector of more than 2,000 ancient inscriptions (i43O?-i5i5
?).

133

The Third Voyage

then in Lisbon, to leave no stone unturned to Upon the arrival bring me back to the King.

of the said Giuliano

treaties to return

was moved by
to the

his

en-

with him

King

a deci-

sion

which was disapproved of by all those who knew me. For I was leaving Castile, where no small degree of honor had been shown me and where the King himself held me in high
esteem.

What was

even worse was that

de-

parted without taking leave of my host. I soon presented myself before King Manuel, who

seemed

to rejoice greatly

at

my

arrival.

He

then repeatedly asked me to set out with three ships which had been got ready to start in search of new lands. And so, inasmuch as the entreaties

of Kings are

as

commands,

yielded to

his wishes.

THE START OF THE THIRD VOYAGE

WE

set sail in three ships

from the harbor of

Lisbon, on the loth of May, 1501, directing our course toward the islands of the Grand

Canary.
islands

We

sailed along

in

sight

of these

without

westward

stopping, and continued our voyage along the coast of Africa.

We

delayed three days in these waters, catching a great number of species of fish called Parghi.

Proceeding thence
Ethiopia which
'Now
Goree.
is

we

reached that region of

1

called Besilicca

situated in

The Third Voyage

the Torrid Zone, within the
at a spot
first

climate, and
rises

where the North Pole

fourteen

remained here degrees above the horizon. eleven days to take on supplies of wood and of
water, because
it

We

was

my

intention to

sail

south-

ward through the Atlantic Ocean. We left that harbor of Ethiopia and sailed to the southwest
for sixty-seven days, when we reached an island 700 leagues to the southwest of the above-men-

During these days we encountered worse weather than any human being had ever before experienced at sea. There were high winds and violent rainstorms which caused us
tioned harbor.
countless hardships. The reason for such inclement weather was that our ships kept sailing along the equinoctial line, where it is winter in

the days are as long as the nights, and where our own shadows pointed always to the south.
the

month of June and

At

last it
i

pleased

God

to

show

us

new

land

/th and a half out league

ing
in

on the

of August.
at sea,

We
we

anchored

one

and then, embarkset

some small

boats,

out to see

whether or not the land was inhabited. found that it was thickly inhabited by men

We
who

were worse than animals,

will learn forthwith.
see

as

Your Royal Majesty

landing

Upon

we

did not

any of the

natives,

which we noticed we

although from many signs concluded that the country

'35

The Third Voyage

must have many inhabitants. We took possession of the coast in the name of the most serene

King of
and

Castile,

and found

it

to
is

be a pleasant
five

degrees The same day we resouth of the Equator. turned to our ships and since we were suffer;

fruitful

and lovely land.

It

ing from the lack of fuel and water, we agreed to land again the following day and provide ourselves with what was necessary. Upon land-

we saw on the topmost ridge of a hill many people who did not venture to descend. They
ing

naked and similar in both appearance and color to those we had met in the former were
all

voyages.

Though we did them come down to us and

our

make speak with us, we

best
to

could not inspire them with sufficient confidence.

Seeing their obstinacy and waywardness, we returned to our ships at night, leaving on the

they looked on) several small bells and mirrors and other such trifles.
shore
(as

When
things

they saw that

we were

far

out at sea,

they came

down from
left

the mountain to take the

we had
thereat.

wonder

On

them, and showed great that day we took on a

Early in the morning of supply of water only. the next day, as we looked out from our ships,

we saw

a larger

number of

natives than before,

building here and there along the shore fires which made a great deal of smoke. Supposing
136

The Third Voyage

that they were thus inviting us, we rowed to the now saw that a great horde of natives land.

We

had collected, who, however, kept far away from us, making many signs that we should go with them into the interior. Wherefore two of
our Christians declared themselves ready to risk their lives in this undertaking and to visit the
natives in order to see for themselves

what kind

of people they were and whether they possessed any riches or aromatic spices. They begged the commander of the fleet so earnestly that he gave
his consent to their departure.

The two

then

prepared themselves for the expedition, taking along many trifles, for barter with the natives,

and

left us,

with the understanding that they

should
most,

make sure to return after five days at the as we should wait for them no longer.
accordingly began their journey inland, returned to our ships, where we waited

They
and

we

for eight

whole days. On almost each of these days a new crowd would come to the shore, but never did they show a desire to enter into conversation with us.

On

we we

again were making discovered that the natives had brought all their wives with them. As soon as we landed

the seventh day, while our way to the shore,

they sent many of their women to talk with us. But even the women did not trust us sufficiently.

While we were waiting

for

them

to approach,

137

The Third Voyage

we decided to send to them one of our young men who was very strong and agile and then, that the women might be the less fearful, the The rest of us embarked in our small boats. young man advanced and mingled among the women they all stood around him, and touched
;
;

and stroked him, wondering greatly

this point a

at

him.

At

woman came down from

the hill

When she reached the carrying a big club. place where the young man was standing, she struck him such a heavy blow from behind that
he immediately fell to the ground dead. The rest of the women at once seized him and

up the mountain, whereupon the men who were on the mountain ran down to the shore armed with bows and arrows and began to shoot at us. Our men,
dragged
feet

him by

the

unable

to

escape

quickly

because

the

boats

scraped the bottom as they rowed, were seized

with such terror that no one had any thought at the moment of taking up his arms. The
natives

had thus an

opportunity

very many arrows at us. Then we our guns at them and although no one was hit, still, the moment they heard the thunderous
;

of shooting shot four of

report,

they all fled back to the mountain. There the women, who had killed the youth
before our eyes, were now cutting him in pieces, showing us the pieces, roasting them at a large
138

The Third Voyage

fire

which they had made, and eating them. The men, too, made us similar signs, from which we gathered that they had killed our two other Christians in the same manner and had

likewise eaten them.

least

And

in

this

respect at

we

felt sure that

they were speaking the

truth.

thoroughly maddened by this taunting and by seeing with our own eyes the inhuman way in which they had treated our

We

were

than forty of us, therefore, determined to rush to the land and avenge such an inhuman deed and such bestial cruelty. But the
dead.

More

commander of our
sent
;

ship

would not give

his

con-

being compelled to endure passively so serious and great an insult, we departed with heavy hearts and with a feeling of great
so,

and

shame, due to the refusal of our captain.

Leaving that land we began to sail between the East and South because the coast line ran in
that direction.

We

made many

turns and land-

ings, in the course

of which

tribe

which would

us or approach us. we discovered a new land stretching out

We

did not see any have any intercourse with sailed at last so far that

we

toward

Here we rounded a cape (to which we gave the name St. Vincent) and conthe southwest. tinued our voyage in a southwesterly direction. This Cape St. Vincent is 150 leagues to the

The Third Voyage

southeast of the country
perished,

where our Christians

south

and

eight

degrees
sailing

of

the

along in this manner, one day we noticed on the shore a great number of natives gazing in wonder at us and
Equator.
at the great size

As we were

of our ships.

We

anchored in

a safe place and then, embarking in our small found the people boats, we reached land.

We

much

kinder than the others

for our toilsome

efforts to

make them our

success.

friends

were

at

last

crowned with

We

remained

five days

among them

trading and otherwise dealing with them, and discovered large hollow reed-stalks,
still

green, and several of them decided to dry on the tops of the trees. take along with us two of this tribe that they

most of them

We

might teach us their tongue and, indeed, three of them volunteered to return to Portugal
;

with

us.
it

But, since
in detail,
that

wearies
it

me to

describe

all

things

may
left

suffice

your Majesty
sailing

to a

know
south-

we

that harbor,

in

westerly direction, keeping always within sight

of land, entering
In

many

harbors,

making frequent
tribes.

landings, and communicating with many

fact,

we

sailed so far to the south

that

we

went beyond the Tropic of Capricorn. When we had gone so far south that the South Pole
rose thirty-two degrees above the horizon,

we

140

The Third Voyage

lost

sight of the Lesser Bear, and the Great Bear itself appeared so low as to be scarcely vis-

ible

above the horizon.

We

were then com-

pelled to guide ourselves by the stars of the South Pole, which are far more numerous and

much

larger and more brilliant than the stars of I therefore made a our Pole. drawing of very

many of them,
magnitude,
their orbits

especially of those of the first together with the declinations of

around the South Pole, adding also the diameters and semi-diameters of the stars
themselves " Four
all

my

of which can be readily seen in In the course of the Voyages."

voyage from Cape St. Augustine, we sailed 700 100 toward the west and 600 toward leagues
the southwest.
scribe all

Should any one desire to dethat we saw in the course of that voy-

did not, age, paper would not suffice him. however, discover anything of great importance

We

the exception of an infinite number of cassia trees and of very many others which put

with

forth a peculiar kind of leaf.

dition, very
it

We

saw, in ad-

other wonderful things which would be tedious to enumerate.

many

our voyage for almost ten months and, seeing that we discovered no precious metals, we decided to depart thence
;

We

had

now been on

and

to

roam over another portion of the

as

sea.

As soon

we had come
141

to this conclusion, the

The Third Voyage

"word went to each one of our ships that whatever I should think necessary to command in

conducting
letter.
I

this

voyage should be

fulfilled to the

therefore immediately gave a general

all

should provide themselves with fuel and water for six months, for the different
order that
captains had informed me that their ships could remain at sea only that much longer. As soon as my orders had been obeyed, we

and began our voyage to the south on the i 3th of February, in other words, when the sun was approaching the equinoctial line
left that coast

and returning to
ours.

We

sailed

Northern Hemisphere of so far that the South Pole rose

this

fifty-two

degrees above the horizon, and we could no longer see the stars of the Great or the
Lesser Bear.

April) 500 from which we had begun our southward voyage.

For we were then (the 3rd of leagues distant from that harbor

we
vas

day so violent a storm arose that were forced to gather in every stitch of canthis

On

run on with bare masts, the southwest wind blowing fiercely and the sea rolling in great billows, in the midst of a furious temto
pest.

and

The
in

gale was so terrible that

all

were

alarmed

no

slight degree.

The

nights, too,

were very long. For on the 7th of April, when the sun was near the end of Aries, we found that
the night was fifteen hours long.
142

Indeed, as

The Third Voyage

your Majesty is very well aware, it was the beginning of winter in that latitude. In the midst
however, on the 2nd of April, we sighted land, and sailed along shore for But we found it ennearly twenty leagues.

of

this tempest,

tirely

uninhabited and wild, a land which had I neither harbors nor inhabitants. suppose it was for the reason that it was so cold there that
a

no one could endure such

rigid climate. Furthermore, we found ourselves in such great danger and in the midst of so violent a storm

that the different ships could scarcely sight one another. Wherefore the commander of the fleet

and

should signal to shipmates to leave that coast, sail out to

I

decided that

we

all

our

sea,

and

make
;

for Portugal.

This plan proved to be a good and necessary one for, had we remained there one single
night longer,

we
left,

should

all

have been

lost.

day after
feared

we

so great a storm arose

The that we

For should be entirely submerged. this reason we then made many vows to go on
pilgrimages and performed other ceremonies, as

we

is

customary with sailors. The storm raged round us for five days, during which we could
never raise our
nearer and
sails.

During the same time we

to
sea,

went 250 leagues out

always getting nearer the equinoctial line, where

both sea and sky became more moderate.

And

H3

The Third Voyage

here
it

pleased

God on high

to deliver us

the above-mentioned dangers. shaped to the north and northeast, because

desired to

from Our course was

we

which we

the coast of Ethiopia, from were then distant 1,300 leagues, sail-

make

ing through the Atlantic Ocean. By the grace of God we reached that country on the i oth of

May.
stretch

We

rested there for fifteen days of coast facing the south and

upon

called

Sierra Leone.

Then we took
are

our course toward

the Azores,

which

Leone.
July and then set

We
sail

750 leagues from Sierra reached them about the end of

rested
for
fifteen

again

days.

We

Lisbon, from which we were 300 leagues to the west. And at last, in the year 1502, we again entered the port of Lisbon, in good health as God willed, with
for

only two ships.

at Sierra

The

third ship

we had burned

Leone, because she was no longer sea-

worthy. In this third voyage, we remained at sea for nearly sixteen months, during eleven of which we sailed without being able to see the North
Star nor the stars of the Great

and the Lesser Bear.

At

that time

we

steered by the star of the South

Pole.

What
the

have related above

have deemed
of

most

noteworthy

events

my

third

voyage.
144

The Fourth Voyage

THE FOURTH VOYAGE

I

MUST

still

relate

what

saw

in

my

third

voyage. But, in truth, since I have already been tired out by the length of the preceding narratives, and since this voyage did not at all
(sic)

had hoped, on account of an accident that befell us in the Atlantic Ocean, I may be permitted (I trust), to be somewhat brief.
end
as I

We

left

Lisbon in

six ships

with the inten-

tion of exploring an island situated toward the

horizon and

known
ships

as

Melcha.
it

This
is

island

is

famous for
place for

its

wealth, because

a stopping

all

coming from the Gangetic

Cadiz
is

the port for all vessels going from east to west, or in the opposite direction, as is the case with those ships
Seas, precisely as

and Indian

which sail hence for Calicut. This island of Melcha is further to the west than Calicut and more to the south, which we knew from the
following fact that it is situated within sight of the thirty-third degree of the Antarctic Pole.
:

And
sail

on the loth of May, 1503, we set from Lisbon (as I have said above), and
so,

made

for

the

Cape Verde

Islands,

where we

took on some needed provisions and many other We remained there twelve necessary stores.
days,

and then
the

set sail

with

south wind, befleet,

cause

commander of the

who was

H5

The Fourth Voyage

haughty and headstrong, issued orders that we should make for Sierra Leone, on the southern There was no necessity for coast of Ethiopia.
of us were unanimously opposed to such a course but he insisted upon it merely to
this,

and

all

impress

upon

us that

he had been placed

in

command

of us and the six ships. made good speed, and just as we were at last coming within sight of our destination, so great and vio-

We

heavy a gale began to rage, and Fortune became so unkind, that for four days we could not land in spite of the fact that we could see the coast during the whole
so

lent a tempest arose,

and

obliged to give up our attempts and to continue in what should have been our course from the beFinally

of that time.

we were

ginning. therefore resumed our voyage with the Suduesius wind blowing (a wind which points

We

between the
sailed

and the southwest), and through those difficult seas for 300 leagues.
south

In consequence we went across the Equator by almost three degrees, where land was seen by
us twelve leagues off.

We

were greatly aston-

ished at the sight. It was an island situated in the middle of the sea, very high and remarkable in appearance. It was no larger than two

No man leagues in length by one in width. had ever been or lived on that island, and yet it
146

The Fourth Voyage

was
the

to us a

most unfortunate
fleet

island.
lost

Upon

it

commander of our

his

ship, all
will.

owing to his own obstinate mind and His ship struck upon a rock, sprung

leaks,

and sank during the night of St. Lawrence, the loth of August. With the exception of the crew nothing was saved. The ship was of 300 tons, and the strength of our whole fleet lay
in her.

While we were
if

we

exerting ourselves to see could not, perhaps, float her again, the
all

above-mentioned commander ordered

me (among

other things) to go in a rowboat to the island in search of a good harbor where we might all

draw up our

ships in safety.

That same com-

mander, however, did not wish me to go with my own ship, because it was manned by nine sailors and was then busily engaged in assisting
the endangered ship.
find such a harbor,

He

insisted that I

go and

where he would

restore

my

ship to
orders, I

me

in

went

person. Upon receiving these to the island as he desired, taking

with

me
I

about half the number of

my

sailors.

The

island was four leagues away, and hastening

discovered a very fine harbor where we might safely anchor our entire fleet. I had now discovered the harbor, and there I spent eight days waiting for the said commander and
thither

the rest of our company.

was greatly

dis-

The Fourth Voyage

turbed

when

they did not appear, and those

who

were with

me became

so

alarmed that they

could not be appeased in any way. While we were in this state of anxiety, on the eighth day we saw a ship coming in over
the sea.

We

at

once

set

out to meet

them

in

order that they might see us, feeling confident and at the same time hoping that they would
take us with

them

to

some

better harbor.

When

gotten near and had exchanged greetings, those on board informed us that the commander's ship had been lost at sea, the crew

we had

Your Majesty can readily alone being saved. imagine the great anxiety which seized me at
this report,

when

realized

that

leagues distant from Lisbon (to needs return) in remote and far-off

was 1,000 which I must

I

waters.

we resigned ourselves to the. fate that had come upon us and determined to go on. First of all we returned to the island, where we gathered supplies of wood and water for the The island, indeed, was quite uninhabship.
Nevertheless,
ited

and most inhospitable but it had a great deal of spring water, countless trees, and num;

berless land

and

sea birds,

that they permitted us hands. We, therefore, that

which were so tame to take them in our took so many of them

one of the rowboats.

we

entirely filled

The

only other animals

we

discovered on that

148

The Fourth Voyage

island

were very large mice, lizards with forked tails, and several serpents. When we had got our provisions on board, we set sail toward the south and southwest; for

we had
less

received orders from the King, that, un-

great danger made it impossible, we should follow in the path of our former voyage.

some

Setting out, therefore, in this direction, we at last found a harbor which we called the Bay of All
Saints.

Indeed,

God had
less

able weather that in

granted us such favorthan seventeen days we

reached this port, which is 300 leagues distant from the above-mentioned island. In the harbor

we found

neither the commander-in-chief

nor any one else of our company, though we waited for them for two months and four days.

At the end of
arrived there,
sail

this

period, seeing that

I

no one

my

companions and

decided to

further along the coast. After sailing for 260 leagues, we entered a harbor where we de-

termined to build an outpost. we left behind in this fort

Christians
less

Having done
the

so,

who had

twenty-four been the crew of the luck-

reship of our commander-in-chief. mained in that harbor five months, occupied in

We

constructing the said fort and in loading our tarried thus long ships with brazil-wood.

We

because
because,

our

sailors

were few in number and

of

owing

to the lack

many

necessary

149

The Fourth Voyage

parts,

But our ships could not proceed further. when all was done, we agreed to return to Portugal, to do which would require a wind

between north and northeast.

We left in the fort the twenty-four

six

Christians,

giving them twelve guns and many more arms, and supplying them with provisions to last them

months.

During our

stay

we had made
which

friends with the tribes of that country, of

we have here made very little mention, notwithstanding that we saw great numbers of them
and had frequent dealings with them. Indeed, we went about forty leagues into the interior in

company with

thirty of

them.

saw on

this

expedition very many things which I now pass over in silence, reserving them for my book entitled " The Four Voyages." That country is eight degrees south of the equator and thirtyfive

degrees west of the meridian of Lisbon, according to our instruments.

We

set sail

hence with the Nornordensius

is

wind (which
northeast)

between

the

north

and the

Lisbon.
hardships

shaping our course for the city of At last, praise be to God, after many

dangers we entered this harbor of Lisbon in less than seventy-seven days,

and

many

on the 28th of June, 1504. Here we were received with great honor and with far greater
festivities

than one would think possible.

150

The

The Fourth Voyage

reason was that the entire city thought that had been lost at sea, as was the case with

we
all

the rest of our

perished owing to the foolish haughtiness of our commander-inBehold the manner in which God, the chief.
fleet,

who had

just
I

Judge of

all,

rewards pride
at

knowing what next your most serene Majesty will plan As for myself, I greatly desire for me to do. from now on to rest from my many hardships, in the meantime earnestly commending to your
living

am now

Lisbon, not

Majesty the bearer of the present letter. AMERIGO VESPUCCI,

in Lisbon.
Greetings from Walter Lud, Nicholas Lud,

and Martin Ilacomilus

ft tr
_.

<.
3.

O-

B.

Finished April 25

MDCVII

WAIDSEEMULLER, Martin. Coanographiae.

'