Hiftorie of the Indies, lik.q.* 251 



matins Moores , which raigned there. Inthefleete, the 

 yeareone thoufand five hundred eighty and feven, in 

 the which I came from the Indies 3 they brought twoo 

 cheftsof Emeraldes, every one weighing at the leaft 

 foure^r0tf, whereby weemayfeetheaboimdauncc 

 they have. The holy Scripture commends thefe Eme 

 ralds as pretiousiewells , they number themamongeft 

 the pretious ftoncs, which the hie Prieft carried on his 

 Ephod orbreaft-plate, asthofc which did beautifie the 

 walks of the heavenly tirttfilem. 



CHAP. 15. 



O'w that we intreat of the.great riches that comes 

 from the Indies, it were no reafon ta forgette the 

 Pearle, which the Ancients c^&MMgueritts > and at 

 the firft were in fo great eftimation , as none bu t royalt 

 perfbns were fuffercd to weare them : . but at this day 

 there is fuch aboundance as the Negrcs themfdves do 

 v/earechaincs thereof 5 they groivein lliellsor oyfters, 

 in eating whereof I have found pearles in the midddt 

 of them : Thefe oifters within are of the colour of hea 

 ven, very lively. In (bme places they make fpoones,the 

 which they call mother of Pearle. The pearles do differ 

 much in forme,in bignes 5 figure, colour and poli(hing 5 

 folikewife in their price they differ much. Some they 

 call Ave Mtriacs, being like thefmall graines of beades* 

 others are Pater softer s , being bigger. Seldome (hall 

 you finde two of one greatneffe,forme,and colour.For 

 this reafbn the Romans (as Pliny writeth) called them 

 Vnions. Whenas they doe finde two that are alike in all 

 poyntes, they raifc the price much > e(pecially foreare- 



ring. 



