BELIEF IX ASIA 75 



Solomon obtained his gold, were the identical mines 

 of Veragua. 



At this point it is of interest to notice the similarity 

 of the statements of Columbus and of Behaim relat- 

 ing to these mines. Columbus said :^° 



There were brought to Solomon at one journey six 

 hundred and sixty-six quintals of gold, besides what the 

 merchants and sailors brought, and that which was paid 

 in Arabia. Of this gold he made two hundred lances 

 and three hundred shields, and the entablature which 

 was above them was also of gold and ornamented with 

 precious stones: many other things he made likewise of 

 gold, and a great number of vessels of great size, which 

 he enriched with precious stones. This is related by 

 Josephus in his Chronicle "de Antiquitatibus"; mention 

 is also made of it in the Chronicles and in the Book of 

 Kings. Josephus thinks that this gold was found in the 

 Aurea; if it were so, I contend that these mines of the 

 Aurea are identical with those of Veragua. 



Behaim placed a legend on his globe just below the 

 mouth of the Ganges which read :^^ 



In the Book of Genesis it is stated that this country 

 through which flows the Ganges is called Havilla. The 

 best gold in the world is said to grow there. In Holy 

 Writ, in the 3rd Book of Kings, chapters 9 and 10, it is 

 written that King Solomon sent his ships hither and had 

 brought from Ophir to Jerusalem of this gold and valu- 

 able pearls and precious stones. This country of Giilat 



3" Major, op. cit., pp. 203-204 (Raccolta. Part I, Vol. 2, p. 201). 

 3' Ravenstein, op. cit., p. 94. 



