The thirteenth the Fleet being in seven Degrees and six Minutes had twenty nine thirty and thirty one Fathom Water But the Naerden sailing with his Squadron about the East had almost lost sight of the Zierikzee The fourteenth about Noon the Fleet was in eight Degrees and sixteen Minutes and had twenty two and twenty three Fathom Water fine sandy Ground mix'd with white Gravel At Night about the latter end of the first Watch appear'd the two Isles lying to the West of the Island Poele or Candor a League from the Fleet which had eighteen Fathom Water This Poele or Candor lies in the Bay of Siam near the Coast of Vancinaer Cambodia uninhabited and about three or four Leagues in Circumference surrounded with high Rocks and Mountains crown'd with shady Trees and abounding with good Provision to the great refreshment of those Ships that put in there The fifteenth in the Morning the Fleet came up with the North-East Point of Candor which bore South-East and by East about three or four Leagues distance from them in the depth of seventeen and eighteen Fathom Water white Sand mix'd with small Pebbles The sixteenth in the Morning they sail'd in fifteen and sixteen Fathom Water the Table-Mount being North-East about three Leagues from the Shore About Noon they found themselves by observation in ten Degrees and thirty one Minutes Northern Latitude and had fifteen Fathom Water about three Leagues from the Coast of Champa Champa so call'd according to Texeira from the Portuguese Pronunciation Champa by Martinius Changpa and by others Ciampa is a Kingdom which hath the Principality of Camboya on the West and according to Father Lerin that of Laos from which it is separated by the vast Desarts and Mountains of Samao the East respects Cochinchina and Tunking and reaches with its Coasts to the main Continent of China before you come to the Shore against the Island of Makou The chief City which lies up in the Countrey hath its denomination from the Kingdom The other Towns are Varella Penaria and Tauchonarella This Countrey abounds in all sorts of Provisions and the Hills with Elephants which are transported from thence to several Places There is also store of the best Calamback-Wood by some call'd Calampart by Linschot Calambu and Calambes or Lignum-Aloes by the Arabians Agalugen and Haut and by the Inhabitants of Zaratte and Dekan Ud which hath a most sweet and odoriferous smell said to proceed from its rotting under Ground for the sound Wood hath no smell at all The Tree saith Garzias resembles that of an Olive but somewhat bigger and the firm and sound Wood hath no kind of smell but with the putrifying of the Bark and Wood the fat and Oily Moisture may also communicate of its Sweetness to that likewise This Wood they prize so highly that they equally value it with Gold yet much us'd by the Chineses in their Offerings to their Gods The Countrey though badly stor'd with Gold and Silver yet is enrich'd with excellent Drugs costly Woods as the Sampan and Ebon-Wood Rice Lint and Cotton There is also plenty of a Fruit call'd Oaby which is very great weighing ten or twelve Pounds apiece and by the Chineses us'd for Bread and sometimes mingled with Meat like the Bottoms of Artichokes They also have a very large Fruit by the Inhabitants and other Indians call'd Nankussen and by some according to Garzias and Acosta Iaka The Countrey is Govern'd by a King that Rules neither acknowledging Subjection to the Emperor of China the Cham of Tartary or any other Superior The Vice-Admiral Van Campen spoke with the King himself who sate in a great Court in a very large Hall hung with rich Tapestry but was not permitted to enter the Presence till he pull'd off his Shoes and Stockings because none may appear before the King unless bare-footed such was their Custom of due Reverence The Grandees or Persons of Quality there are mounted on Steeds with Bells in their Ears like our Cart-Horses The seventeenth in the Night the Fleet doubled the South Point of the Bay of Pangerang which bore West and by South about three Leagues from them In the bottom of this Bay being a most convenient Harbor for Ships stands a great City whose Jurisdiction extends a vast way into the Countrey and Govern'd by a peculiar King The Vice-Admiral going ashore spake with him with his Shoes and Stockins on and was presented by the King with soms Fans and Stuffs The Countrey thereabouts abounds with Calamback-Wood The Fleet steering North and by East found her self about Noon to be in eleven Degrees and thirty five Minutes about three Leagues from the Champan Shore In the Morning they plied about the five Islands close by the foremention'd Coast the Southermost part of which appears like a round Hay-stack The eighteenth at Noon by Observation they found themselves in twelve Degrees and thirteen Minutes two Leagues from the Shore in seventy Fathom Water On Wednesday about Sun-rising the Fleet made St. Iohn de Fyks on the Coast of Champan North-East and by North about three Leagues from them and at Noon were in thirteen Degrees and five Minutes Northern Latitude and Coasted about Sun-set Cabo Avarelles which lay Northerly from them steering North and by East Cabo Avarelles being a very high Mountain appears a great distance off like a Man on Horse-back and serves for a Beacon The twentieth they found themselves in thirteen Degrees and forty nine Minutes and saw the Point of Poele Candor North and by East a good distance from them The one and twentieth in the Day-watch the Vice-Admiral Van Campen for the Admiral Bort going that Night with seven Ships about the East was by break of day gotten quite out of sight with the Ships belonging to his Squadron came opposite to the Northermost of the Box-Islands and spied four Sail bearing North-East and by East near the Coast of Champan or Quinan whether he and those that belong'd to the Ter-Boede row'd with their Sloops well Mann'd and Arm'd but three of them escaping they took only one which they carried aboard the Vice-Admiral and found him to be laden with Rice Honey and strong Arak Mann'd with seven Men and having also five proper Women aboard that coming from Poeyan intended to sail from Taywan not far from thence They judg'd it convenient to let them pass with their Vessel but the Women would rather have staid with the Netherlanders if they might have had their desires yet at their departure they were presented with three Pieces of course white Linnen which they receiv'd with great thankfulness The City Poeyan lying on the Coast of Quinan at the foot of a Mountain between two Rivers is surrounded with high thick Walls of Stone fit to plant Guns upon Their Fortresses are not fortified with Towers but here and there with some Galleries eighteen Foot high to which they ascend by a Ladder and from thence assail their
Village where the Channel call'd Iun takes its beginning and discharges its Waters through a Sluce viz. This Channel Iun begins on the Northern Borders of the Province of Peking in the Territory Hoaiganfu Northward from the City Socien on the North side of the Yellow River out of which the Ships that go to all Places in the Northern part of the Empire are brought into the Channel Iun which spreads it self North-West from thence through the second County Iencheufu in the Province of Xantung to the City Cining Southward of the Lake Nanyang then through those of Tungchunfu and through the Nanyang and lastly at the end of that Territory it disembogues in the River Guei which separates the Provinces of Xantung and Peking But because this Channel in many Places is too shallow for Vessels of Burthen there are above twenty Sluces which they call Tungoa built artificially with Stone every Sluce hath a large Water-gate which is open'd when any small Boats or Vessels are to pass and strongly barr'd up with Posts and Planks to keep up the Water These fore-mention'd Gates are open'd with an Engine or Wheel-work with little trouble to let the Water through and so from one to another till they have past through like the Sluces at our new River at Guilford But half way before they come to the City Cining they let as much Water out of the Lake Usianghoe or Can through a very great Water-gate as they have occasion for them locking it again that the Lake may not be quite exhausted When the Ships come to the Lake Chang they cross it not but go with greater ease along a Channel made near the side and Confin'd with two broad Banks At every Water-gate are People which for small consideration pull the Vessels through with Ropes In this manner the Ships go out of the Yellow River to Peking Certainly if the European Builders or Layers of Water-courses did come along this Channel Iun and behold the thickness and heighth of the Banks on both sides and the stately Water-gates which are also of Free-Stone or the firmness of the Work they would justly admire the Contrivance and Art of the Chineses in this their way of Aqueduct not to be paralell'd by the prime Pieces of the best Masters in Europe After all the Boats were Tow'd through the fore-mention'd Water-gates they Sail'd up the Channel Iun in a Northerly Course with a fair Wind by the Villages Mochoctan and Uwtaotchou the first on the West and the last on the East side of the Channel and in the Evening came to Maulovao on the Western Shore having this day wrought out six Leagues and a half Here they they were forc'd to exchange their Coelies because the other that came from Sinsing a Place two Leagues and a half distance from thence had gone their Stage Van Hoorn no way satisfi'd with these delays told the Mandarin Guides that they ought to have sent Coelies before that they might have been ready against his coming thither and then rehearsed the long time which he had already spent when as they might have finish'd their Journey in six Weeks all which said he you can scarce answer in Peking if the Emperor's Presents should be any ways damnifi'd which they are subject to The thirtieth at Noon no Coelies coming they went with some Soldiers into the Countrey to Press some of the Rusticks which was done so leisurely that it was almost Night before they got from Maulovao and Sail'd the whole Night though with a slow pace because their Vessels often rak'd upon the Sand. In the Morning the first of May they past by Kiakio and Sankomiao two decay'd Villages on the East side of the Channel somewhat up into the Countrey and about Noon pass'd by Thoetsuang beyond which they lay still a little while till their Toers had Din'd Then going on again they arriv'd in the Evening at a small Village call'd Sjousincha and Anchor'd before a Water-gate having since the last Night gain'd six Leagues in several Courses The second in the Morning about nine a Clock they pass'd through the Water-gate before which they lay the Night before being hindred there by a strong North-West Wind. In the Afternoon coming to Twansingiao they again lay before one of the Water-gates till the Wind was something abated Whilst they lay there one of the Emperor's Barques laden with Tributary Goods just to the Northward of the Village was accidentally set on fire but soon quenched onely burning her Stern and very little of her Lading Towards Evening they pass'd the fore-mention'd Water-gate and Sail'd in the Moon-shine through Singhjamiao and its Water-gates and about Midnight Anchor'd before Wansensua having that day gain'd but a League and a half About day-light they got through the fore-mention'd Sluce and at Noon arriv'd at Milanchia where they were to pass another but because the Wind blew very hard they cast Anchor before it This Village of Milanchia separates the Province of Nanking from that of Xantung being seated on their Borders Against the Evening the Weather growing more calm they went with their Vessels through the Water-gate beyond the Village at the end of which they stay'd having the whole day not gain'd above three quarters of a League and pass'd out of the Province of Nanking into that of Xantung The Province of Xantung being the fourth of the Northern verges South-East and North with the Sea and on the West side surrounded with Rivers in the North it borders upon the Province of Peking in the South on that of Nanking from which separated by the Yellow River The remainder thereof lies inclos'd within the Rivers of Iun and Guei The fourth in the Morning weighing again they pass'd through Tsingchia and Hanghsuansa and also through two Water-gates To the Westward or behind this Village a great Lake by the Chineses call'd Yzianghoe takes its beginning and through two Sluces discharges Waters into those of Iun. In the Evening though late they came to the Village Tzizang where they stay'd all Night being got three Leagues and a half farther in several Courses that day The fifth about Day-break they went forward and about Noon reach'd Iaixinho or Iaxhinno a little Town consisting of thirty six Houses all built like Forts or defensive Towers Here they stay'd some time for fresh Coelies who being come they weighed again and first pass'd through a Water-gate lying in the fore-mention'd Iaixinho afterwards through Tsonoiacha and two Water-gates more In the Evening they arriv'd at Maaliaeao where they stay'd all Night having gain'd four Leagues that day Here as before began to appear a Lake on the East side of the Channel The Countrey to the Hills seeming to lie thereabouts under Water The sixth in the Morning before day setting forward again they pass'd through ten Flood-gates and also by and through Tsouteucha and Naeyang Loutchiajeen Tongnang-fong Tsiongiaceen Chinkio Sinchia Tsoufee and Sohousum In the Evening they arriv'd at
Language This Negotiation of the Chineses extended it self to all the Islands in the Oriental Sea and to India it self till the time of the Portuguese first coming thither but afterwards it was neglected partly for the remoteness of the Places and partly out of fear of the Portuguese But Iapan the Philippine Isles Macassar Iava Camboya Sion and Cochinchina the Chineses frequent with their Ships laden with Merchandise to this very day especially those of the Province of Fokien for scarce any other Chineses frequent the Sea or go to foreign Countreys against the Laws of the Empire The Emperor Hiaou who Anno 140. before the Incarnation began his Reign after having by means of the General Chankieng subdu'd the Kingdoms of Ynpei at this day Tungking and Laos Tavon and Takia lying near the West sent a Fleet of Ships to the East through the Chinese Sea or Bay call'd Sang. But those Places to which the fore-mention'd Fleet Sail'd were not describ'd by the Chinese Geographers which is no wonder for as these People have a great and high opinion of themselves and account foreign things not worth their knowledge or description therefore we cannot say whether this Fleet went to Iapan or to the Isles Linson Ceilon Iava Camboya and the like Places The timely finding of the Magnet or Load-stone and Compass by the Chineses give also no small testimonies of their Navigation As Martinius saith the Properties of the Magnet and its respecting the North and South or the Compass was known to the Chineses many Ages before the Incarnation and before the People of Europe for when in the Reign of Zing Anno 1115. before the Birth of Christ the Cochinchineses by the Chineses call'd Kiaochi had the first time sent an Agent to the Emperor with a white Hen or Pheasant for a Present the Agent was by the Emperor's Tutor call'd Cheucung a great Astronomer presented with a piece of Workmanship artificially wrought which of it self without ceasing pointed directly towards the South not onely when it was carry'd by Land but by Water also This Piece was with two Syllables call'd Zinan which is like that wherewith the Chineses at this day call the Load-stone which serves for an infallible testimony as Martinius saith that the use thereof was found out onely by the Chineses at that time It is not like our Compass divided into thirty two Points but onely into four which respect the four chief Winds as East West South and North. The Chineses are little experienc'd in the Mystery of Navigation not being able to take an Observation of what Latitude they are in with a Quadrant but govern themselves onely by their Compass and Evening-Star At the rising of a Storm or Tempest they chuse not Sea-room as our Mariners but running with their Ships ashore leap over-board and cry Sequa Sequa I will here annex what I have receiv'd concerning the Chinese Ships from the Writings of David Wright who resided a considerable time in the Island of Formosa and China The Chineses saith he call their great Ships Zoen and not Jonks or Iovencheu as most have written but by that Name understand our Christian Vessels some of them carry a thousand one hundred Last or twenty two hundred Tun some a thousand others six hundred others two and many less Their Men of War have a Fore-Castle and another along the Quarter-Deck which are higher than the sides of the Ship in which the Soldiers keep in the time of a close Fight and serve also for Gun-Rooms wherein they keep their Arms and Ammunition Their greatest Ships of War carry not above forty Guns some thirty and others twenty and ten all the Guns which they carry in their Vessels being smaller than ours some carrying not above eight pound Ball others scarce four three two or one some are Cast of Copper others of Brass Men of War with forty Guns carry eight hundred Men those with ten two hundred and generally more Soldiers than Sea-men The Arms which they use are Musquets Pikes Darts Bowes Shields and Swords with Fire-balls and the like besides many Fire-ships Their Men of War are made after another manner than ours with broad Sterns and also broad before yet not above three Foot and from the middle they run narrower towards the Head they have no Keel but are flat at the bottom the biggest as well as the smallest carry two Masts without Yards Mizne or Boltsprit The Sails are made of Rushes and Cane Leaves in this manner First they make Net-work of split Reeds as big as the Sail they intend to make which spreading on the Ground they lay five double Leaves of Canes all over it and on these another Network made just like the undermost all which is twin'd fast together round about and in the middle which being thus made are fastned to the Yard with Ropes like those of the Dutch Hoys they loose and fasten the Strings one by one and the Sail when taken from the Yard is rowl'd up and laid along in the Ship the Ropes wherewith they tie them are made of Hair but their Cables of Canes or Reeds the Sails have neither Braces nor Bowlings but abundance of small Ropes which are fastned from the top down to the bottom of the Sail and all knotted together about a Fathom distance from it The Anchors are made of a sort of exceeding strong Wood which sinks in the Water like Iron and fastens in the Ground with Flooks like ours but they have no Anchor-stocks nor Rings but through the end where our Anchor-stock is made fast runs a Rope The Chineses carry no Flag-staffs but in stead thereof a Mast which stands in that part of the Ship where our Mizne-Mast stands their Flags hang at the end of a long Stick on the top of the fore-mention'd Mast which Stick is drawn up by a Rope that runs through the top and is made fast about the middle thereof on the other end is a Rope with which they pull down the end of the Staff and hoise up the other to which the Flag is fastned they also carry Flags and Penons on their Fore and Main-Mast according to the inserted Sculpture The Men of War generally bear a round Circle in their Flags and not as Linschot tells us three Crescents with seven Stars after the Mahumetan manner one half Red and the other yellow and the whole Circle is surrounded with forty three Specks When any Ships come to an Anchor then their Rudder which is of another fashion than ours they hoise Aboard and put on again when they set Sail. They have another sort of Vessels by those of the Province of Fokien call'd Koeya which are much lesser the greatest carrying not above fifty and the smallest twenty Tun bearing onely one Mast. A third sort call'd Sampan or Champan have also one Mast but six Oars A fourth nam'd Lantya have neither Sails nor Masts but are like Barges and carry'd with sixteen Oars eight on each side and
signifies Enough The Feu begins in the North part of the Province of Suchuen in the County Lungganfu on the South-West side of the City Lunggan passing from thence South through this and the Territory Chingtufu and Eastward by the City Tungchuen from whence it bends East and glides through the County Chunkingfu where near the Mountain Pu it mingles with the Ta. The Chuen which springs in the Mountains Northward from the City Quanggan in the County Xankingfu and gliding South by the West side of the City Quanggan more Southerly by the West side also of the City Gochi at the end of the County falls into the River Sung or Sihan In it are thirty six deep Water-falls where it descends violently with great noise The Sung by some call'd Sihan begins in the Province of Xensi in thirty Degrees and fifty Minutes Northern-Latitude at the East side of the Garrison Mincheu from whence it passes Southward and in thirty three Degrees and forty Minutes North-Latitude enters the Province of Suchuen then running through the County Paoningfu by the West side of the City Zangki receives the Tung falling out of the Mountain Xeyen so gliding by the City Paoning enters at last into the Territory of Chungkingfu and near the Mountain Fu joyns with the Rivers Pa and Feu which all loose themselves near the City Chungking in the River Kiang The Xe which rises in the Mountains Westward from the City Kien passes Southward through the Mountain Tapa and with several Windings glides Eastward by the City Lenting and Xehung then passing on South-East makes way through the County of Xunkingfu and mixes at the south-South-end thereof with the River Sihan or Sung The Xemuen or Heng runs through the South part of the Territory Siucheufu by the south-South-West side of the City Siucheu with great force and Precipices call'd the Bell because it makes a noise like a Bell re-sounding with Ecchoes Lastly the River Xemuen falls in the Kiang The Stream Cingy also passing on the East side of the same Territory fills the River Kiang The Cing and Tosiang cut through the Territory Queicheufu the first which takes Original in the Lake Cingyven and falls joyn'd with the Tosiang which glides out of the Lake Cienking into the Kiang Eastward from the City Queicheu Cing signifies Clear because its water is clearer than any other Rivers in this Province The Tahoa which passes through the South side of the County Chunkingfu glides Northward by the West side of the City Vulung and falls on the West side also of the City Changxu into the River Kiang The Kiu or Kiukiang begins with two Branches the one call'd Piniao in the South part of the Province of Queicheu Westward from the City Luken and with the other in the Province of Suchuen Southward of the Mountain Fuyung from whence it glides North-East along the South-East side of the Province of Suchuen afterwards running Northerly into the County Chunkingfu falls Eastward of the City Changxeu into the River Kiang By the way the Ciu receives on the North side of the Garrison Pingchai the Nanyang and in the County Vunkingfu the Stream U Northward from the City Pengxui THe Han which runs through the North part of the Countrey Vuchanfu falls Westward of the little City Vuchan into the Kiang The water of the Han is exceeding cold insomuch that it makes the Air about the same temperate in the Dog-Days for which cause the Kings in times past built a Palace over the same to reside in the Summer The Io springs in the Mountains Southward from the City Vuchan and runs Northerly through the middle of the City into the Kiang The Sui takes Original in the Mountains Eastward from the City Tangzan and glides North-West into the Kiang through the South part of this County passes another Branch which also discharges in the Kiang The Cha divides the whole County Teganfu and takes Original in the Mountain Tahaung from whence it passes Southward by the East side of the City Sui and inlarg'd with the Stream Tuen on the West side and with others on the East side out of the Lake Tuigmung by the West part of the City Tegan at last mixt near the City Iungmuug with the River Hoan which comes out of the Lake Tungmung it falls by the Name of Hoan into the River Han. The Ki which glides through the County of Hoangcheufu out of the Lake Uheu Westward by the City Ki falls into the River Kiang The same Territory is also cut through by two other Streams viz. Hi and Lungsiang which both coming out of the North mingles with the Kiang The Mie which glides through the County Yocheufu springs from the Mountain Tienho from whence it shoots North-West into the River Siang and with that into the Kiang The Lieu begins in the Lake Pexa which produces four Rivers and gliding North-West through the Territory Chanxafu empties it self into the County Iocheufu in the River Siang The Mielo proceeds from the joyning of two Streams viz. Lieu and Chao originally springing out of the County Paokingfu and passing Westward by the City Siangiin at last falls into the River Taohao or Siang The Mielo receives by the way another Stream call'd Can which comes out of the Lake Pexa This River is eminent because it was the occasion of a great Feast by the Chineses call'd Tuonu which with all Solemnity is kept on the fifth day of the fifth Moon through all parts of China in Commemoration of a Loyal Governor who not able to serve his Master the Emperor any longer Drown'd himself in this River The Siang rises at the conjoyning Borders of the Province Huquang and that of Quangsi in the Mountain Siung from whence it passes North through the County Iungcheufu where on the West it receives the River Yu and out of this Territory entering into that of Hengcheufu glides afterwards through that of Changxafu where it also receives the Names of Mielo by the West part of the City Siangyan where it unites with the River Tahoa but retains the Name of Siang and at last falls through the Territory Yocheufu into the Kiang Its water may compare with Crystal for clearness and though it be very deep yet the Stones that lie in the bottom may plainly be discern'd The Siao which begins in the Mountain Kieny at the South-West side of the City Ningyven passes from thence close by the East side of the City Iungcheu and towards the North mixes with the Siang receives by the way Northward from the City Ningyven on the West the River Cin and Rivulet Xu on the East the Hoang The Chinghiang and Ciencieu glide from the South to the North through the County Ciencheufu afterwards mixing their Waves together pass along one Channel North-West through the Territory Hengcheufu thence pour their waters into the Siang The Lofeu which comes out of the Northern Mountains in the County of Changxafu runs to the South by the City
West in eighteen and nineteen Fathom grey Sandy Ground mixt with little Shells their Course North and by East the Wind at South-East and by South Poele Zay are several small Rocky Isles and uninhabited lying in a Train one by another The second being Sunday the Fleet Sail'd about Noon in fifty three Minutes Northern Latitude In the afternoon the Pink Loosduynen being seven Leagues to the Eastward of the Island Poele Panjang ran on unknown Rocks not specifi'd in the Maps to which the Vice-Admiral Iohn Van Campen Rowing with his Boat and some Tackle giving speedy assistance helpt the Pink off from the Rocks without any Damage On Munday being the third the Fleet proceeded on her Course North-North-East full before the Wind and reach'd about Noon in two Degrees and three Minutes Northern Latitude and in sight of the Island Poele Tingi which lay North-West from them In the first Watch the Zierikzee and Ter-Boede Frigats came to an Anchor on the West side of Aura in thirteen Fathom Water and put each of them a Light in their Lanthorns for a Sign to those Ships that were behind The fourth being Tuesday the Admiral with the Naerden Frigat accompanied with the Overveen Sea-dog Singing-bird High-land and Vink came to an Anchor in the same place for the Domburg and six more took their Course to the Isle of Timon according to Order when they set sail Their Boats going ashore to fetch fresh Water and Wood brought also many Baskets of Fish and Fruits besides some Hens and Goats which they either bought for Money or barter'd for Next Morning being the fifth the Singing-bird Sea-dog and the Goldfinch weigh'd their Anchors and sail'd to Poele Pisang for fresh Provisions and Wood. This Island is Populous and full of Villages All the Inhabitants observe strictly their Fishing and Tillage being bred to such Drudgery from their Childhood Here as also on the Coast of the Kingdom of Sampan and on the Island Lingen a kind of Birds-nests are plentifully found which at Feasts and Entertainments are look'd upon as a great Regalia nay the Inhabitants on their New-years Feast which they keep with great Solemnity commonly present one another with these Dainties as an infallible sign of unfeigned Friendship They are also transported as a great Delicate to China and every Pound thereof sold for half a Tahers they being a great Cordial much relieving both the Stomach and Brain A Bird like a Swallow about the time of the year when they chuse Mates and fall to coupling yields a kind of glutinous or slimy matter which lying on the Rocks is the first Material of these Nests and by a daily additional Moisture or Morning-dew gather'd on their Wings and sprinkled on it at last becomes both large and perfect which when dry resembles the Bowl of a Spoon with high Edges and are found here in such abundance that they gather some Hundred weights of them yearly When their Coupling time is past and the Nests finish'd which happens all at one time they lay their Eggs and Brood upon them which Father Kircher thus describes Between Cochinchina and the Island Hainan lie in a long Ridge a Series both of great and lesser Rocks to which in March flock abundance of strange Birds like Swallows there building their Nests but of what or how not known and having bred up their Young fit for flight they quit their Birth-place and leave their empty Nests which Ships coming thither from China and other places transport from thence and sell at home at great Rates because they are esteem'd as the onely Condiment either to Fish or Flesh which being handsomly season'd with it gives a delightful Hogooe Philip Martyn in his Relation of the Kingdom of Tunking saith That in that Province are many strange Birds and Fowls especially some little ones that fly like a Swallow making their Nests on the Rocks which are gather'd and sold at no ordinary price because they believe that they owe their Health to the use of them mix'd in their Dishes and that it is a certain Cure for the loss of Appetite They are of a bright colour and hard like Sea-horn and they esteem the greatest Feast no Entertainment without this Dainty which they prepare after this manner First they lay it a whole Night in warm Water till it grows soft and mellow then again dried in the Sun mince it very small It hath of it self almost no taste but like Mushrooms prepar'd in Sallads provokes an Appetite and as other Food asswages Hunger and satisfies the Stomach this on the contrary makes the Appetite greater and still desirous of more There is also much Ager-Wood and Cotton On Thursday the sixth Admiral Bort firing a Gun from the Naerden-Frigat signified his intention to set Sail but no sooner had he weigh'd his Anchor but the Ship was strongly driven by the Current towards the Shore so that he was forc'd to let it fall again and firing several Guns the Vice-Admiral Van Campen coming thither with his Pinnace Long-boat and Tackling found the Naerden Frigat to ride about three Cables length from the Rocks on good Ground able enough to hold out a great Storm But carrying out a small Anchor and weighing the other at last got under Sail and was follow'd by the rest of the Ships The seventh being Friday the Zierikzee Highland and Ter-Boede Frigats came about the East side of the Isle of Timon for the Naerden and the other Ships lay at the North-East Point to an Anchor in thirteen Fathom where they took in Water Firing and fresh Provisions as Hens Goats Fish Potatoes and the like The eighth being Saturday the Zierikzees Men going into the Woods cut Anchor-stocks Oars Hand-spikes and Leavers and fishing in their Sloop took some Shepherds and Breams About Noon hapned a great Thunder-shower The ninth day being Sunday the Zierikzee Highland and Ter-Boede weighing their Anchors ran to the North-East Point of Timon to the Naerden and the other Ships Admiral Bort putting out his white Flag to call a Council they judg'd it convenient to steer further out from the Shore and also seal'd their Orders The Admiral here complaining that he had many young and unexperienc'd People in his Ship Order was immediately given That two of the stoutest Sea-men should be taken out of each of the other Ships except the Gold-finch and put aboard of him In the afternoon the Fleet set sail and took their Course North-North-East and saw the Isle of Timon about Sun-set bearing South and by West and South-South-West about five or six Leagues distant The tenth in the afternoon under three Degrees and eight Minutes the Fleet had thirty eight Fathom Water sandy Ground But by the eleventh at Noon they had reach'd five Degrees and four Minutes Northern Latitude and in forty and forty one Fathom Water gravelly Ground The next day at Noon they were in five Degrees and fifty six Minutes and had thirty nine Fathom Water