LOPEZ VAZ AD. 



1572-87. 



found among them or in their countrey. These Streights ^^^ i^^g^h of 

 (they say) extend in length from East to West about f^f'^fl^'''-^ 

 an hundred and twentie leagues. At the middle of these /mlgktyridg 

 streights on the North side are many mountaines covered of mountains. 

 with snow, which mountaines stretch from thence along 

 the frontiers of Chili, Peru, and Nuevo reino de Granada, 

 even unto the shore of the North sea at Santa Martha, 

 as I have before signified. It is a wonder to behold the 

 exceeding heigth of these mountaines, and the way 

 which they continue covered with snow, for even under 

 the Equinoctiall line they have as much snowe upon their 

 tops as in 52 degrees. Also it is worthy the remem- 

 brance, that all this countrey towarde the South sea is 

 very fruitfull, and the people very discreete and gentle: 

 but all the coast towardes Brasill upon the North sea 

 is poore, whereas never yet was found any commoditie 

 of account, and the people themselves are very cruell and 

 salvage ; for the will of God is, that good and civill men 

 should inhabite fruitfull countries. And for the better 

 understanding hereof you must note, that all the land 

 lying betweene the said ridge of mountaines and the South 

 sea is called by the names of Chili, Peru, and Nuevo Chili, Peru, 

 reino de Granada, which are the best and richest countreys ^^"^ ^uevo 

 in all the world : and most part of the land from the q^^^^^^^ 

 said mountaines to the North sea is called Brasill, being 

 a mountainous countrey, * where as yet was never found "^ But of late 

 either golde or silver. From the said mountaines in there are found 

 the middle of the streights the land riseth high, till you J^^^j^"^^ ^^^ 

 come to the end of the streights where you enter into 

 the South sea, in which place next the South sea the 

 streights are very dangerous, by reason of the sholdes 

 & rocks that lie on the North side. Thus Magellan 

 after he had entered the South sea, within 60 dayes came 

 to the lies of the Malucos, without touching at any 

 land untill he came thither : and so seeking there to The death of 

 lade his ships at an Hand inhabited by Moores, he was Magellan. 

 by them treacherously slaine. Now the Spaniards being 

 too few for the managing of all three ships, because 



XI 257 R 



