1384. N. AND A. ZEXO. 17 



greatest awe and respect. When the frosts and 

 •snows are severe, the friars heat their houses 

 in this manner, and temper the heat or cold 

 at pleasure. Their buildings are made of the 

 stones which are thrown out like burning cinders 

 from the mountain, and which by throwing water 

 on them becoaie excellent white lime ; when cold 

 and not dissolved with water, they shape them with 

 iron tools and use them in their buildino-s. 



Th*eir winter is said to continue for nine months 

 their food to consist of wild fowl and fish; for the 

 warm water runneth into a capacious haven, which, 

 on account of its heat, it preventeth from freezing, 

 and in consequence of this there is such a concourse 

 of sea-fowl and such abundance of fish, that both 

 are easily taken in vast multitudes, and enable the 

 friars to maintain a great number of people, whom 

 they keep in constant employment, in construct- 

 ing their houses, in taking sea-fowl and fish, and in 

 a thousand other matters relating to the monastery. 



The trade of these friars with Norway and the 

 neighbouring islands is then described ; and it is 

 observed, that to this monastery of Saint Thomas 

 resort the friars of Norway, of Sweden, and of 

 other countries, but mostly from Iceland. The 

 boats of the fishermen are described as being in 

 shape like a weaver's shuttle, and made of the 

 skins and bones of fishes. 



This curious account of Engroneland or Green- 

 land is p'iven bv Nicolo to his brother Carlo ; and 



VOL. I. C ' , 



