Chap. III.] FOREIGN TEADE, 449 



fiimes, and aloes-wood, and there too they find tlie 

 animal, the civet, which jdelds musk. The islanders 

 cultivate rice, coco-nuts, and sugar-cane ; in the rivers 

 is fomid rock crystal, remarkable both for brilhancy and 

 size, and the sea on every side has a fishery of magni- 

 ficent and priceless pearls. Throughout India there is 

 no prince whose wealth can compare with the King of 

 Serendib, liis immense riches, his pearls and his jewels, 

 being the produce of his own dominions and seas ; and 

 thither ships of China, and of every neighbouring 

 country resort, bringing the wines of Irak and Fars, 

 which the king buys for sale to his subjects ; for he 

 diinks wine and prohibits debauchery ; whilst other 

 princes of India encom^age debauchery and prohibit 

 the use of wine. The exports from Serendib consist of 

 silk, precious stones, crystals, diamonds, and per- 

 fumes." ^ 



^ Edeisi, Geographie, Trad. Jaubert, torn. i. p. 73. 



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