'Some years travels into divers parts of Africa, and Asia the great. Describing more particularly the empires of Persia and Industan: interwoven with such remarkable occurrences as hapned in those parts during these later times. As also, many other rich and famous kingdoms in the oriental India, with the isles adjacent. Severally relating their religion, language, customs and habit: as also proper observations concerning them.' [‎370] (393/448)

Molucca IJlands
By the way we call our eyes upon many Ides, and (as we fail due Eaft) upon Baly in
8 degrees 30 minutes^ and Tymore in 10 degrees South 20 minutes Ealterly from the
laft : both, more rich inftones andfpicesand white fandejrs much prized by t\\z Barmy an
than fome greater Ifles about them. Leave we alfo Conio and Serran unfpokenof^ not
tliat they are unworthy, but becaufe we hafte to the Molucca, in view now, and where we
mean to reft a while. ; ' r r .. , . .
ThtMolncco Ifles called SellsInfuU in former Ages, confine India^ and are five in'num-
ber, Molucca, Gillolo, Ternate-, Tidore and Machan or Mat an : in which Jaft, Magellan
after his long voyage 1520. ended his life through the treachery of thofe^WW^,
to whofe Prince he had but a little before given affiftance.. The Bnglijh were the firfl that
ever traded to thefe Ifles of any Chriftians: fo as moft of them have ever fince acknowledg
ed our King their Soveraign : but by the Dutch it feems our men are now thruft out, as if
all India were theirs by title from the Creation.
Of thefe, Gi/lolo is greateft and Ternate the higheft: all of them afford Cloves, Mace,
Nutmegs, Ginger, Pepper, Oyl, Aloes and Honey. Moft of them have the /Equinoaial
for their Zenith, and by thofe diurnal fhowrs and breezes which fail them not with the Suns
voicinage the fruits ripen fooner, the earth fmells more aromatical, and the air feems more
nutritive there than obferved in moft other places.
The Clove-tree differs in proportion according to the place whence it receives its vi
gour ; fome are comparable to the Bay which it refembles, the leaves only fomewhat nar
rower others to Box or fuch liketrees of humble ftature: 'tis moft part of the year green,
having leaves long and fmall,diftending into many branches. It bloflbmes early but becomes
exceeding inconftant in complexion^, from a virgin white varying into other colours:
for, in the morn it {hews a pale green, in the meridian a diftempered red, andfetsin
blacknefs. The Cloves manifeft themfelves at the utmoft end of the branches; and in their
growing evaporate fuch fenfe-ravilhirig odours as if a Compendium of Natures fweeteft
gums were there extraded and united. They are pruned thrice every year, and gratefully
retort a treble vintage: yea, though but perfeded in three years, yet counted an advan
tage : feeing Phyficians fay They are hot and dry in the third degree, corroborate the fto-
mach, benefit concodion, and fuck up moifture fo exceedingly that no other plant will
prolperin its neighbourhood.
The Nutmeg like trees moft excellent is not very lofty in height, fcarce riling fohigh
as the cherry: by fome it is refembled to the Peach *, but varies in form of leaf and grain
and affeds more "compafs. The Nut is cloathed with a defenfive husk like thofe of a bafer
quality, and refembles the thick rind of a Walnut; but at full ripenefs difcovers her na
ked purity, and the Mace chaftly entwines (with a vermillion blufh) her endeared
fruit and lifter, which hath a third coat, and both of them breath out moftpleaiing
fmells. The Mace in few days (like choice beauties) by the Suns flames becomes tawny i
yet in that complexion beft pleafes the ruftick gatherer. In thefe Ifles only are found
thofe rare and beautiful Birds of the Sun which are commonly called Mamcaudiau or
Birds of Paradife. He is of the bignefs of a Parrot-, the feathers upon his head fofraall
as rather refemble hair than feathershis Train thick and very long but curioufly coloured,
in fom? parts of his body green,in others yellow, feet he has none: yet his Wings be large
and of a bright colour *, in flying he mounts exceeding high and continues long in motion:
a bird for its rarity much efteemed by Travellers, and not without fuperftitionby
the Natives-
Several other Ifles of note there are, fome of which, mmdy ^mboyna was in the quiet
pofleflion of the Enrlijh until diffeifed by the treachery and cruelty of fome Dutch, who un-
" derafhew of friendlhip invited our Fadorsto a Feaft where moft perfidioufly and to the
perpetual reproach of their Chriftian Profeflion amongft Infidels, not content with the
poifeffion of the place they entertained thofe innocent perfons with moft cruel and exqui-
lite Tortures. Thefe Ifles are commonly called the Molucca Iflesor Ifles of Bunda ; thofe two
being accounted the principal.
B A N D A in 4 degrees 30 minutes, and from Ambayna twenty leagues: and Am-
hoyna almoft in the mid-way betwixt Banda and Molucca. P do way is from Bandathtcz
leagues. From TulowayVJ. N. W. are Lantore, the greateft of the Ifles of Banda, Batan,
Labatacka, Nero, Tycobajfa, Qmher, Salanw and others - all which, efpecially Puloway and
Puloreen appear as if they were continued Wilderneffes of Nutmegs and Clove-trees, Pep
per, Vines and Olives. Until fome late violence was offered by our emulous neighbours,
the two laft commerced firft with our Englijh Merchants and contraded a perpetual Amity
with our King; but in affront to them and us they have forcibly expelled our Merchants
thence and now intitle themfelves Lords of Banda *, caring neither for our Intereft nor
• what