geese, which are driven out by the women to feed near the city. The
women only do this when it is a pleasure to them. There are also places
enclosed, where they make cheese, butter, and milk-food. They also keep
capons, fruit, and other things, and for all these matters there is a
book which they call the Bucolics. They have an abundance of all things,
since everyone likes to be industrious, their labors being slight and
profitable. They are docile, and that one among them who is head of the
rest in duties of this kind they call king. For they say that this
is the proper name of the leaders, and it does not belong to ignorant
persons. It is wonderful to see how men and women march together
collectively, and always in obedience to the voice of the king. Nor do
they regard him with loathing as we do, for they know that although he
is greater than themselves, he is for all that their father and brother.
They keep groves and woods for wild animals, and they often hunt.

The science of navigation is considered very dignified by them, and they
possess rafts and triremes, which go over the waters without rowers
or the force of the wind, but by a marvellous contrivance. And other
vessels they have which are moved by the winds. They have a correct
knowledge of the stars, and of the ebb and flow of the tide. They
navigate for the sake of becoming acquainted with nations and different
countries and things. They injure nobody, and they do not put up with
injury, and they never go to battle unless when provoked. They assert
that the whole earth will in time come to live in accordance with their
customs, and consequently they always find out whether there be a nation
whose manner of living is better and more approved than the rest. They
admire the Christian institutions and look for a realization of the
apostolic life in vogue among themselves and in us. There are treaties
between them and the Chinese and many other nations, both insular and
continental, such as Siam and Calicut, which they are only just able
to explore. Furthermore, they have artificial fires, battles on sea
and land, and many strategic secrets. Therefore they are nearly always
victorious.

G.M. Now it would be very pleasant to learn with what foods and drinks
they are nourished, and in what way and for how long they live.

Capt. Their food consists of flesh, butter, honey, cheese, garden herbs,
and vegetables of various kinds. They were unwilling at first to