The Antartick Lands
Sources from old books
1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.
THe Antartick Land is often called Australis Magellanica Incognita. We might with just title name them the Southern Indies, and the third World. Those who would engage Soveraign Princes, to promote the discovery of these Lands, say, that they are of as great an extent as all America, nor less Peopled, or less Fertile, than Europe: They may have above Six thousand Miles of Coast in three several Zones of the Southern part of the World, the Hot, Temperate, and Cold: Perhaps Countreys might there be found of all manner of temperament, tho' none have yet been beyond the 68 Degree of Southern Latitude. Amongst the Streights that are there, that of Magellan, first afforded a way in the year 1523. to voyage it round the World through the South Sea: this Streight is Two hundred Leagues in length: in breadth, in some places, two, three, in others, five, six, or ten. Those who pass through it, receive great inconveniencies, by reason of the sinuosities and windings, and the frequent storms that are there. The Streights of Maire, which were discovered in the year 1615. are much more commodious; 'tis but ten or twelve Leagues in length, and as many in breadth. That of Brouvers, which was pass'd in the year 1643. is on the South-East, and has the same advantages with that of Le Maire. The English and Hollanders sometimes steer this Course to go to the East Indies.
Besides, under the name of Antartick Lands, are reckoned Countries which indeed are very far distant from the Southern Pole, but which cannot be attributed to the other great parts of the World, since they are separated from it by Seas of a vast extent; New Guiney, the Isles of Solomon, New Zealand, the Land of Fire, the Land of Parrots, New Holland. There's hardly any thing known of the other Southern Parts befides the Names of those who discovered them.
New Guiney, towards the South of the Equinoxial Line, and in the Inferiour Hemisphere, is a very great Isle, and bears this Name, because it seems to be Diametrically opposite to the Guiney of Africa.
The Isles of Solomon are in the South Sea, at ten or twelve Degrees of the Southern Latitude. The Spaniards, who have them in possession, give them the name of Solomon, to persuade the World, that that wise King sent for his Gold from thence.
New Zealand is the Country where the Hollanders have met with scurvy usage, when they would have setled themselves there. There it is, they say, are great Men, and of a huge stature; whether they really be so, or fear made them appear such, at least each of their two Companies to the Indies avouched the same thing. In all probability it was discovered by Fernandez de Quir, who tells a thousand advantageous particulars of it; He spent Fourteen Years in his Travels, Fourteen Months at Court, and presented, in vain, Eight Petitions, to the King of Spain, to persuade him to send Colonies thither. Between New Zealand, and the Streights of Magellan, some have placed several small Islands, which are said to have been discover'd in the Name of the King of Spain, by Hernando Gallego, in the year 1576.
The Land of Fire, on the South of America, consists of several Islands that are called Magellanic, and the Fires that were seen there, the first time the Europeans went on shoar, have given occasion to this Name.
The Land of Parrots is probably that which we call Terra Australis. In the year 1504. a French-man, called Gonneville, went on shoar there, and was kindly receiv'd by a petty King, called Arosca: After several Months abode, he brought away with him some of the Inhabitants, and amongst others, one called Essomeriq, a King's Son, who has left of his Posterity in Normandy.
New Holland seems to be that Land, or rather those two great Islands of Petan, and the lesser Java; which Mark Paul saith, lies South East of the Isle of Java. The Hollanders set so great a value upon these New Lands, that they have caused the Map of them to be cut in inlaid or Mosaick Works upon the Pavement of their Stadt-House in Amsterdam.