DESCRIPTION OF META INCOGNITA a.d. 



1578. 

 in so cold a climate I referre to the judgement of others, 

 for they are naturally borne children of the same colour 

 and complexion that all the Americans are, which dwell 

 under the Equinoctiall line. 



They are men very active and nimble. They are a 

 strong people and very warlike, for in our sight upon 

 the toppes of the hilles they would often muster them- 

 selves, and after the maner of a skirmish trace their 

 ground very nimbly, and mannage their bowes and dartes 

 with great dexterity. They go clad in coates made of Their apparel 

 the skinnes of beasts, as of Seales, Deere, Beares, Foxes, 

 and Hares. They have also some garments of feathers, 

 being made of the cases of Foules, finely sowed and 

 compact togither. Of all which sorts wee brought home 

 some with us into England, which we found in their 

 tents. In Sommer they use to weare the hairie side of 

 their coates outward, and sometime goe naked for too 

 much heate. And in Winter (as by signes they have 

 declared) they weare foure or five folde upon their bodies 

 with the haire (for warmth) turned inward. Hereby it 

 appeareth, that the ayre there is not indifferent, but 

 either it is fervent hote, or els extreme cold, & farre 

 more excessive in both qualities, then the reason of the 

 climate should yeeld. For there it is colder, being 

 under 62. degrees in latitude, then it is at Wardhouse 

 in the voyage to Saint Nicholas in Moscovie, being at 

 above 72. degrees in latitude. The reason hereof perhaps The acciden- 

 may be, that this Meta Incognita is much frequented ^f"™/^ 

 and vexed with Easterne and Northeastern winds, which Meta Incog _ 

 from the sea and yce bringeth often an intollerable cold nita. 

 ayre, which was also the cause that this yeere our straits 

 were so long shut up with so great store of yce. But 

 there is great hope and likelihood, that further within [III. 94.] 

 the Straights it will bee more constant and temperate 

 weather. 



These people are in nature very subtill and sharpe 

 witted, ready to conceive our meaning by signes, and 

 to make answere well to be understood againe. And if 

 vii 369 2 A 



