[ #73 ] 
XXV.—ON HY BRASIL, A TRADITIONAL ISLAND OFF 
THE WEST COAST OF IRELAND, PLOTTED IN A MS. 
MAP, WRITTEN BY SIEUR TASSIN, GEOGRAPHER 
ROYAL TO LOUIS XIII., sy W. FRAZER, F.x.c38.1., with 
PLATE 9. 
[Read January 20, 1879. ] 
THE French maps of the Geographer Royal, Le Sieur Tassin, in 
which he gives the different districts and fortified towns of France, 
with interesting views of the towns themselves, were published in 
1634 ; they were re-issued more than once, the last time being in 
1652, The copy which I obtained was made additionally interest- 
ing by its containing beautiful plans, drawn by Tassin himself, of 
several royal fortresses, which were strengthened by Cardinal 
Richelieu, and also bird’s-eye views of Cazal and Evreux. 
In the commencement of the volume laid down to scale is a MS. 
map of the opposite coasts of France and Britain, which I believe 
to be of scrupulous avcuracy, even in rather minute details, and 
evidently the work of a man who knew the coast thoroughly. 
Following this is the special map I wish to direct attention to at 
present. It is entitled a “Chart of the Islands and Maritime 
Coasts of Europe, in which we see the Route and Navigation of 
the Hollanders by the North of Ireland and Scotland during the 
wars with the English for the German Ocean.” 
This course is laid down from Holland along the N orwegian 
coasts, whence two diverging paths are described—one round the 
north of Shetland, or “Hetland,”’ and carried to the south of 
the Ferro Islands; the other, a fair-weather course, passes be- 
tween Fair Island and Fula or Foula, joins the other line, and then 
passes inside of Rockall, or, as it is written, Rookal; it then con- 
tinues along the western coast of Ireland, and Brasil is laid down 
in its proper place, much in the position now ascertained to be 
occupied by the “ Porcupine Bank ;” hence the course continues 
direct to Rochelle. 
The map is evidently not designed as a fanciful sketch. Every 
sailing point and headland has been laid down by a skilful Geo- 
grapher, who either passed over the track himself, or compiled it 
