‘The travels of Sig. Pietro della Valle, a noble Roman, into East-India and Arabia Deserta. In which, the several countries, together with the customs, manners, traffique, and rites both religious and civil, of those Oriental princes and nations, are faithfully described: In familiar letters to his friend Signior Mario Schipano. Whereunto is added a relation of Sir Thomas Roe’s voyage into the East-Indies’ [‎20] (41/508)

which alfo they account gallant ^ but 5 do not^becaufe it appears
not to be natural; They fwallow down onely the juice after long
maftication, and fpit out the reft: In Vifits, 'tis the firft thing
offer'd to the vifitants 5 nor is there any fociety or paftime with-
t , out it. He that is curious to know more of it, may confult the
Natural Hiftorians who have written of theexotick Simples of
o . India^ particularly Carciat ab Horto^ Chrijiopher Acofta^ Nicolaus
I /jt'*//' ; Monardts^ tranflated all together into Latin by CarolusClftfius.
mjs ^ I (hall ondynadd^that the fame I had heard in Verfia of this Indian
Ma^icatory, (efpecially from an Italian Fryer who had been in
[ /c «<'■ Indian and told me'twas a thing not onely of great nutriment,
# and very good for the ftomack, but moreover of an exquifite re-
lifh) made me defirous to try it. As for its other qualities I can
fay nothing} but there is no great matter in the taftcj norihould
I make much difference of chawing thefe leaves of ?an^ or thofe
of our Cedars. But to return to my Relation 5 Thofe flowers and
leaves about the Idol's face carv'd in the Tree ;) are frequently
chang d, and frefh conftantly fupply J d 5 and thoie which at times
are taken away;, are given as a facred thing to the people who
come from all parts to vifit it. In the fame rude fculpture of a
humane face, they have put certain eyes of Silver and Gold
with fome jewels, which were given by fome perfons who fool-
iftily believ'd themfelves cur'd of maladies of the eyes, by virtue
of the Idol : Before whom, upon a little hillock, ftands conti
nually one of their Gioghi, who among the Indians are a fort of
Hermits ^ and fometimes I have (een a Woman too ftanding
there. On high, there hangs a Bell, which thofe that come to
make their foolifti devotions, firft of all ring out, as if thereby'
to call the Idol to hear them 5 then they fall to their adoration
winch is commonly to extend both hands downwards as much
as poffible, being joyn'd together in a praying pofture 5 which
lifting up again by little and little, they bring to their mouths
o 38 1:0 kits them 5 And laftly, extend them fo ioyn'd together
as high as they can, over their heads: Which gefticulation is us'd
onely to Idols and facred things ^ for to men, even to Kings them
felves , they make the fame Salutation ( which in the%r/^-
Tongue they caH and in thtn Indian, Sumbaia)on\y with
the right hand. This ceremony being perform'd/ome make their
prayers onely ftandmg, others proftrate themfelves with their
whole body groveling upon the earth , and then rife again ;
others onely touch the ground with the head and fore-heacT, and
the Tr^ 0 r Humility. After which, they go about
I j 1 . f 3 orice 3 others oftner, and then fprinkle before the
dol either Rice, or Oyle, or Milk,or other fuch things which are
L ^ vpn f c r1 "§ S a " Sacr i lfices wl t h out blood 5 for to flied blood 5 e-
, * s n nfJi; 1 j Ce 5 ls their cuftome 5 but to kill any (brt of Ani-
/*£ is counted a great fin. Such as are of ability, give moreover
/ fome Almes to the perfon attending the fervice of the IdoUboZ
whom m requital they receive the flowers and leaves which are
about
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