dy operation, and causes thereof. 80. General characteristics
of Mediaeval Cosmography. 81. Roger Bacon as a Geographer. 82. Arab
Geography. 83. Marino Sanudo the Elder. 84. The Catalan Map of 1375, the
most complete mediaeval embodiment of Polo's Geography. 85. Fra Mauro's
Map. Confusions in Cartography of the 16th Century from the endeavour to
combine new and old information. 86. Gradual disappearance of Polo's
nomenclature. 87. Alleged introduction of Block-printed Books into
Europe by Marco Polo in connexion with the fiction of the invention of
Printing by Castaldi of Feltre. 88. Frequent opportunities for such
introduction in the Age following Polo's.

XIV. EXPLANATIONS REGARDING THE BASIS ADOPTED FOR THE PRESENT TRANSLATION

Sec. 89. Texts followed by Marsden and by Pauthier. 90. Eclectic Formation
of the English Text of this Translation. 91. Mode of rendering Proper
Names.

THE BOOK OF MARCO POLO.

PROLOGUE.

PRELIMINARY ADDRESS OF RUSTICIANO OF PISA

I.--HOW THE TWO BROTHERS POLO SET FORTH FROM CONSTANTINOPLE TO TRAVERSE
THE WORLD

NOTES.--1. Chronology. 2. "The Great Sea." The Port of Soldaia.

II.--HOW THE TWO BROTHERS WENT ON BEYOND SOLDAIA

NOTES.--1. Site and Ruins of Sarai. 2. City of Bolghar. 3. Alau Lord of
the Levant (i.e. _Hulaku_). 4. Ucaca on the Volga. 5. River Tigeri.

III.--HOW THE TWO BROTHERS, AFTER CROSSING A DESERT, CAME TO THE CITY OF
BOCARA, AND FELL IN WITH CERTAIN ENVOYS THERE

NOTES.--1. "Bocara a City of Persia." 2. The Great Kaan's Envoys.

IV.--HOW THE TWO BROTHERS TOOK THE ENVOYS' COUNSEL, AND WENT TO THE COURT
OF THE GREAT KAAN

V.--HOW THE TWO BROTHERS ARRIVED AT THE COURT OF THE GREAT KAAN

VI.--HOW THE GREAT KAAN ASKED ALL ABOUT THE MANNERS OF THE CHRISTIANS, AND
PARTICULARLY ABOUT THE POPE OF ROME

NOTE.--Apostoille. The name _Tartar_.

VII.--HOW THE GREAT KAAN SENT THE TWO BROTHERS AS HIS ENVOYS TO THE POPE

NOTES.--1. The Great Kaan's Letter. 2. The Seven Arts. 3. Religious
Indifference of the Mongol Princes.

VIII.--HOW THE GREAT KAAN GAVE THEM A TABLET OF GOLD, BEARING HIS ORDERS
IN THEIR BEHALF

NOTES.--1. The Tablet. 2. The Port of Ayas.

IX.--HOW THE TWO BROTHERS CAME TO THE CITY OF ACRE; AND THENCE TO VENICE

NOTES.--1. Names of the deceased Pope and of the Legate. 2. Negropont.
3. Mark's age.

X.--HOW THE TWO BROTHERS AGAIN DEPARTED FROM VENICE, ON THEIR WAY BACK TO
THE GREAT KAAN, AND TOOK