Tartaria Deserta

Maps

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  1701 A system of geography by Herman Moll - Great Tartary.jpg

Sources from old books

1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts.

In Tartaria Asiatica there are few Cities; for the inhabitants by hords or tribes travaile with their substance from one place to another; yet in this Tract is found Casan, and Astracan aforenamed, which is a very great Towne of commerce, considering these Regions, commodiously seated, (as I said before) on the mouth of the River Volga, by which there is passage found from the Caspian Sea in some seasons of the yeare up to Mosco, and by which way (as I noted in the trade of Persia) some Merchants of Christendome more then once intended to transport the silkes, and other the riches of Persia to Moscovia, and so to Europe; but the designe proved dangerous and chargeable, by reason of such potent Princes that border upon that River; and by reason that the same must passe against the currant streame, which in winter is not found passable by reason of the frost, by which and other discouragements the designe was given over and fell to nothing.

1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn.

TARTARIA DESERTA is bounded on the West, with Precopensis, and the Empire of Russia; on the East, with Antiqua and Zagathay, from which last parted by the River Spane, which falleth into the Caspian Sea about the middle of it, and the great Lake of Kitay, from East to west; on the North, with the Scythick or frozen Ocean; and on the South, with part of the Euxine Sea, the Caucasian Mountains, and some part of the Caspian.

It took this name from the many Desarts which are in it, and is called also Asiatica, to difference it from Precopensis, which is wholly in Europe: or because it taketh up the whole Continent of Sarmatia Asiatica, according to the bounds thereof laid down by Ptolomy, except some part hereof incorporated to the Russian Empire.

The Countrey of it self sufficiently fruitful, if well mannured; and were it in the hands of a laborious and industrious people, would yield large increase: as appears by the ill husbandry of the Tartars, who sow nothing on it but Mill and Puateum (grains unknown to us) and that without giving it any •llage, receive very plentiful returns of both. But the Tartar being a Nation that hateth Agriculture, and laugheth at Christian for living on the tops of Reeds, (so they call our bread) neglect all that which is not of a rank pasture for their Herds and Cattell; moving from one place to another as the grass faileth them; which maketh it so full of Desarts, and so empty of Towns, as to deserve the name of Tartarta Deserta.

The people or Inhabitants of it are of severall sorts; derived from three severall Originalls, and disposed of in three severall parts. 1. The Samoyede, dwelling towards the Northern Ocean, who are wholly Idolaters. 2. the Circassians, bordering on the Euxine, for the most part Christians; and 3. the Tartars, planted betwixt both, being all Mahometans. These again subdivided into severall Tribes, which they call their Hordes, of which the most considerable are, 1. the Nagaian Tartars, 2. the Zavalhanses, 3. the Thumenenses, 4. the Kirgessi: besides the Hordes or Kingdomes of Casan and Astrachan added unto the Empire of Russia, where described already; and others of inferiour note, not here considerable.

But before we come to speak of these people in their severall places, we must first look upon the whole Countrey as presented to us under the name of Sarmatia Asiatica: bounded by Ptolomy as before, save that it did extend more Westwards, and was unknown to him in the Northern parts of it; now possessed by the Moscovite. So populous in the time of that Author, that he giveth us the names of fourty severall Nations which did then inhabit it, and of about as many Towns of good estimation. Of which there are few or none remaining: and for the names of some of the principall of them, we shall have them presently.

Rivers of most note in it,

1. Marabius,
2. Rhombitus the Greater,
3. Rhombitus the Less;
4. Auticus,
5. Theophanius,
6. Psathis,
7. Thesyris,
8. Corax,
9. Vardanes; all of them falling into the Euxine, and Moeotick Fennes.
10. Udonis,
11. Alnuta
12. Rha, paying their tributes to the Caspian or Hrrcanian Sea.

Of these the principall is Rha, by the modern Latines called Volgo, by the Tartars Edi, rising in Russia, not far from the City of Mosco, (where we have described it). Most memorable, besides the seventy mouths or Channels, wherewith it openeth into the Caspian, for a medicinable and wholesome root growing on both sides thereof, which the Physicians call Rha, by the name of the River, and for distinctions sake Rha Pontick, to difference it from Rhubarb, or Rha Barbarum, as of a different nature from it, this last being purgative, and the other more apt to bind.

Ob, a River unknown to Ptolomy, rising out of the lake of Kitay, a Lake in bigness like the Sea, and full of many little Ilands (most of them inhabited). Which River at its first parting from this Lake is said to be of 8 miles breadth; and growing still bigger and bigger, emptieth it self at last in the Northern Ocean, the present boundary betwixt the Russian and the people in the North of this Countrey.

Principall Mountains of this part,

1. Corax, giving name unto the River issuing out of it.
2. Montes Hippici, extended towards the Caspian Sea.
3. Montes Ceraunii, lying in the furthest parts hereof (then known unto my Author) to the North and East.
4. Caucasus, or Caucasii Montes, extended from the Euxine to the Cuspian Seas, and parting Sarmatia Asiatica from Colchis, Iberia, and Albania. A chain of hills of which Aristotle saith, acumine & latitudine omnium maximi, &c. that for height and breadth they are the greatest of the East, the tops whereof are lightned by the Sun-beams in midnight till almost day-break, when it is dark-night in the valleys beneath. Not passable for horse or foot (except they creep along by the Euxine shore) but at one place onely, called Sarmatiae Pylae, or the Gates of Sarmatia; by others named Caucasie Portae, from the hills adjoining. Situate in the 81 degree of Latitude; and not far from the Caspian Sea: but that so intricate and narrow, that very small force may keep it against strong Armies. So carefully did Almighty God in his heavenly Providence, shut up this fierce and barbarous people, from the rest of Mankind, by such unfordable Waters, and impassable Mountains: not to be freed out of their prison, till he thought good to use them, as the executioners of his wrath and vengeance, for the punishment of sinful and impenitent Nations. This said, we will consider those particular Nations, which before we named, and are now possessed of it in their several places.

1. Opposite to the Precopenses lie the CIRCASSIANS, extended from the Cimmerian Bosphorus and the Fennes of Maeotis, towards the Eastern shores of the Euxine Sea, for the space of 500 miles, and reaching 200 miles towards the North. The name imposed on them by the Tartars; whereas before, they were called by Pliny, Zigae, by some writers Zychi, conceived to be the Zinchi of Ptolomy.

The Countrie very fitly seated for trade and merchandise, as having a fair and large Sea-coast, with many Rivers opening into it (nine of those spoken of before passing thorow these tracts) and not a few capacious Baies, and commodious Havens. Of which the principall were Sinus Cerceticus, or the Bay of Cercetis, Syndi, and Bata two known Havens, and specified by my Author with the adjunct of Portus. But these conveniences not much looked after by the present Inhabitants, who are more inclined to the warres, than to trades, or merchandise. A stout and military people, trained to their weapons from their child-hood; and sold as soon as trained to it by unnaturall Parents. For from these parts did the Mamalucks of Egypt fetch their first Originall; from hence supply themselves with a perpetuall Seminary of slaves and Souldiers, raised by degrees unto the highest dignities of that slavish Empire. And from these parts the Persian Sophies are supplied with their Cozzel-Bassas, disciplined and instructed by them like the Turkish Janizaries.

The Christian faith was here planted in the year 860 or thereabouts, by the Ministry of Cyrill (or Chiarill) and Methodius, employed in that service by the Patriarch of Constantinople. In which respect their Churches are of the Greek Communion, conform thereto in rites and doctrine, and of the jurisdiction of that Patriarch: but differing from them very much in matters practicall. For it is ordinary with these half Christians not to baptize their children till eight years old; to hear divine service standing without their Churches, into which they very seldome enter (especially the Gentlemen) till the 40th. or (as some say) the 60th. year of their age: dividing the whole course of their life betwixt God and the Devil, in dedicating their youth unto theft and Robbery, their old Age (when they can no longer commit those villanies) to the difficult business of repentance.

Places of most observation amongst the Antients,

1. Cimmerium, a Town and Promontory, so called from the Cimmerii, once the chief people of these parts; of whom more anon; situate on the very shore of the Bosphorus, from hence denominated.
2. Phanagoria, in old times a well-traded Empory; situate on a litle Iland raised out of the Sea by the care and industry of the Greeks, who had here a Factory.
3. Apathurgus, by Pliny called Apaturum, memorable for a Temple of Venus surnamed Apaturia (which name she gave unto this place) because (saith Strabo) when the Giants assaulted her, she craved help of Hercules, who slew them all one after another.
4. Gerusa, by Ptolomy honoured with the title of Civitas; the Gargaza of Diodorus, now called Saint Georges.
5. Oenuntia, neer the mouth of the River Thesyris.
6. Araza, more within the land, which with
7. Ampsacis, hath the name of a City also.

The name of their chief Havens we have seen before. But few of these or any other mentioned by the antient Authors, being now visible in their ruins: the chief of those which are now extant are 1. Locoppa, 2. Conioco; but of no great note.

The people antiently though divided into the severall Tribes of the Thyrsagetae, Zigae, Turcae, the Hunnes, Avares, and Moeotae, all noted Nations; besides the Coaxtrae, Zinchi, Tyrambae, Pselii, and others as obscure as they: were better known by the name of Cimmerians, in which those several tribes concentred. Descended in the right of that common originall from Gomer the sonne of Japhet, first planted in the mountainous places of Albania: his posterity known by the name of Gomerii, afterwards Cimmerii, left there a memorial of themselves in the mountains called Cimmerini. But that Country proving both too barren, and too narrow for them, some of them passed into Phrygia Major, where they built the City Cimmeris, not unknown to Pliny, in whose time it was extant: and others in some tract of time keeping the Euxine on their left hand fixed themselves in these parts, here giving name to the Town and Promontory Cimmerion, to the Cimmerian Besphorus, and generally to all the people descended of them. From these particularly as the stout and valiant Nation of the Cimbri do derive their Pedegree; so from these and the children of Mesech, Magog, and Tubal, the Sarmatians both of Europe and Asia, the Moscovites, and perhaps the Scythians, are to fetch their Originall: all of them great and puisant Nations, and all involved promiscuously in the name of the Scythians. Renowned for no other action more than the memorable expedition which they made into Media in the Greater, and Lydia in the Lesser Asia: the Cimmerians by themselves alone, or by them as principall the rest of these Sarmatians in a body together as a Scythian People. Distressed with want, or to disburden their small Countrey of superfluous multitudes, these Cimmerii in the time of Nabulassar, or Salmanassar King of Assyria, communicating their design with the rest of the Scythians to enlarge their quarters, holding along the course of the Euxine Sea, and passing thorow the Countrey of Colchis, first seized on some parts of Pont us and Paphlagonia. Where having fortified the Promontory on which Sinope was after built, and leaving there their carriages and the weakest of their train with sufficient guards, they marched into Lydia, reputed (as it was indeed) for a wealthy Region. There they possessed themselves of Sardis, the royall City, and after of the rest of the Countrey or the most part of it; Ardis, the sonne of Giges, who then reigned in Lydia, not being able to withstand them. Both besides being wearied with long warre, and grown more pliant by degrees unto one another (as in like case betwixt the Saxons and the Danes) it proved no difficult matter for Halyattes, the grand-child of Ardis, to compound the business: assigning to the Cimmerians all those parts of his dominions which lay beyond the River Halys, and setling his Lydians in the rest. By this transaction there were so good correspondences betwixt the Nations, that when Cyaxares, King of the Medes, invaded the Countrey of these Cimmerians, under colour of the invasion which the Seythians had made in Media; Halyattes did espouse the quarrell, and appeared in their aid. In following times, growing into confidence of one another, and mixt in mariages and blood they became one people; or at least passed not under the accompt of strangers, or the name of Aliens. Such end had this most notable expedition of these Cimmerians; not much remembred after this for the like undertakings. Yet here they held their own, though in other names, governed by many petit Princes, but all associated with Mithridates against the Romans: that King being so great amongst them, that his sonne Machares, having maried into some of their families, was made King of Bosphorus. But Machares having made his peace with Lucullus, the Romans never looked this way. Nor hear we much of them in succeeding times till the invasion of the Tartars, by whom subdued, they acknowledged at first the Great Cham for their Soveraign Lord: whose power declining, they have successively been subject to the Crim-Tartar, the Turk, and Moscovite, but most commonly to the Crim-Tartar as their neerest neighbour and most able to hurt them. And him they furnish on command with 50000 horse for the Grand Signeurs service: yet so that they supply the Persian with his Cozzel-Bassas, and sometimes serve under him for pay, as they do under any which will entertain them. Governed like the Suissers, by their severall Commonalties, yet so, that every Commonal•y hath some principall man (which the Switzers have not) whom they call Morseys, (that is Dukes) to direct and order them.

2. Betwixt these and the River Volga dwell the ZAVOLHENSES, one of the greatest Hords or Tribes, of all the Tartars; and therefore called Horda Magna. Of these the Crims, or Precopenses were a Castling onely, proceeding out of this great Swarm or Nest of Hornetts, though afterwards they became their masters. Of the Countrey or the People we say nothing here: having sufficiently spoken of both already. Their chief Town hath the name of Bo'gar, situate on the River Volga, and from thence so named: Volgar, and Bolgar differing but litle in Orthographie, and not much in sound.

This Countrey, as I take it by the situation, should be that which Ptolomy calleth Mithridat is Regio: whether so called in honour of him by the Princes of the neighbouring Cimmerians, with whom he had contracted alliance; or that he had made any conquests there; or from some other Prince of the same name; I determine not. And in this tract were those two Pillars advanced unto the honour of Alexander, in Ptolomy called Columnoe Alexandri, in whose time they stood without defacement: there being also Altars erected to him, or in memory of him, neer the Banks of Tanais; occuring in the same Author by the name of A•oe Alexandri. Which probably occasioned the error of Qu. Curtius, who brings Alexander in pursuit of the Scythian warre, as farre as Tanais: whereas it is apparent by the course of his actions, that he never got beyond the River Iaxartes; distant from Tanais no less than 2000 miles.

This Tribe first governed by its own King, whom they called Vlu-Cham, or the Great Cham, was in the year 1506. subdued by the Crim-Tartar, and made subject to him. Afterwards conquered by Basilius the Great Duke of Mos•ovy, who thereupon assumed the title of King of Bolgar, which his Successors still preserve, with the Town it self; well garrisoned to keep open the whole course of the River Volga, by which they mannage the great trade of the Caspian Sea. But for the main body of this people, they returned again to their obedience to the Crim•, as being a limb of the same body with him, and are subject unto his commands: though by reason of their neighbourhood to the Moscovite, and commerce with that Nation, they frame themselves both to their language, habit, and behaviour.

3. East of the Zavolhenses, on the other side of the Volga, dwell the NOIHACENSES, or NAGAIANS, spreading as far as the borders of Zagathay, and declining Southward towards the Caspian Sea, and the Montes Hippici. Accompted the best men of war of all the Tartars, but more fierce and cruell than the rest: void of all Arts, not having, or contemning, money, or the use of Corn. Horse-flesh and Mares Milk, their best diet; the flesh either rosted by the Sun, or heated by continuall hanging at their sadle-bow. And with such cheer (nor worse nor better) did Azim Can, one of the Princes of this Tribe, entertain Jenkinson and other English men in their travells to the Caspian from the River Volga. Their chief Town, if possibly it deserve that name, is called Scharayirzik, the Residence of one of their Princes; and the next, Sellisture, where the said Jenkinson found the Cham, as in the prime place of his abode. The Government is by severall Morseys, the Heads or Chiefs, no doubt, of their severall Clans: agreeing well enough together against the Moscovite, whom they infest with frequent inrodes, and put him to the charge of continual Garrisons, at Casan, Astrachan, and Wiatra. Their warres for the most part only proedatorie, rather to get some present booty, than out of any hope to enlarge their dominion: and therefore commonly pacifyed, and sent home with presents. The Great Duke is so good a Statesman, as to think the expence of money cheaper than that of blood; especially when he hath to deal with such an Enemy, who hath neit her any Town of consequence, or fixt place of dwelling, and consequently nothing to be got but blowes. Their Morseys, formerly more in number, were of late times reduced unto three; of which he of Scharayick was the Chief; to whose direction, and appointment (especially in matters which concerned the publick) the other two do commonly submit themselves.

4. Betwixt these Nagaians, and the Circassians, lie those Tribes which they call the KIRGESSI, spreading as far as to the mouths or influx of the River Volga: but intermixt with the Heselites, and Baschurides, two other of the Tartarian Tribes, but of less power. Their life, for the most part in continuall motion, removing with their wives and families from one place to another; and governing themselves in their removes, by the sight of the Pole-star. Partly Mahometan, partly Gentile; but the Gentiles make the greater number, not burying their dead bodies, as in other places, but hanging them upon a tree, though they stink again: certain enough that they will be devoured or sweetned, before they return back to the same Station. Much reverence yet they give their Priests, by whom sanctified & besprinkled in their publick meetings with a certain mixture compounded of blood, milk, earth, and Cow-dung. A most sweet confection, but good enough for them that desire no better. And yet with these the Moscovite is fain to hold faire compliance, and to send them every year some presents, for fear they should joyn with the Nagatans, or otherwise disturb him in his Caspian Trade down the River Volga.

5. The THVMENSES or THVMENTARTARS lie more North than any of these Tartarians; having on the South, the Zavolhenses, and the territory of Viatka in the Empire of Russia. A warlike people, and living neer a dangerous neighbour: for which cause they do not straggle so abroad in petit companies, as the others do, but keep together in great bodies. For the most part much delighted in Negromancy and conjurations. In which the devill so befools them, that he suffereth them to raise tempests, and sometimes by Diabolicaell illusions to defeat their enemies. The only Hord of all Deserta, which still continue in obedience to their natural Lord the great Cham of Cathay. And unto these we may adjoin the Molgomozans, all Gentiles, and the most barbarous of all; living in Caves, and feeding upon worms, and mice, and Serpents, and such other Vermine, as would be poison unto any but such Molgomozans, who are more poisonous than those creatures.

These Hords, together with the Kingdomes of Casan, and Astrachan, and such of the Russian Provinces as lie on the East of Tanais and the River Duina, make up that Countrey which antiently passed under the name of Sarmatia Asiatica: inhabited originally, by the Descendants of Gomer, Mesech, Tubal, Magog, the sonnes of Japhet, spreading themselves more Northwards as they grew in numbers, out of Aloania, Iberia, Colchis, and the Pontick or Cimmerian Nations. Divided into the Tribes or Families of the Olandae; Gerri, Samocolchi; Sovani, Seci, Scim•itoe, Agaritae, Merdi, Conapseni, Chaenides, Basilici; Hyperborei, H•pp•phagi, and others of as little note: these last so called from their eating of horses, which dyet they have left unto their Successours. So like in manners and conditions to the neighbouring Scythians, that they passed commonly by that name: and by that name are memorable for the expedition by them made into Asia the Greater, at such time as the Cimmerians fell into Asia Minor. For passing without opposition thorow the Sarmatian Streights, where they might have been easily kept out, and leaving behind them the more barren Countrey of Albania, they fell into Media, where they were incountred, but victorious, by Phraartes, then King of the Medes. Who finding that he was not able to remove them by force, assayed it by cunning; and first perswaded them to look towards the South, as into richer Countries, and more like to yield them full content. Hereupon, full of prey and presents, they marched towards Aegypt, out were met in Syria by Psamniticus the Aegyptian King, who had heard of their comming, and thought it best to entertain them on the way, and not to bid them welcome at home to his greater cost. Out-vying the Median (as of the two the richer Prince) he loaded them with gifts and treasure, and so sent them back again into Media; from whence they came: where for many years they afflicted that people and the neighbouring Provinces, doubling their tributes, and using all kind of insolencies: till in the end, Cy•xares, the sonne and Successour of Phraartes, acquainting some of his most faithful subjects with his design, caused the better part of them to be plentifully feasted, made them druak, and slew them; recovering thereby the possession of his whole estate. Afterwards, imitated by the English in their Hock-tide slaughter. Such of them as escaped this blow, and were not willing to be subject to the Kings of Media (as many of them were) were suffered to return home by the same way they came, where at their coming, they found foul work made by their wives and their slaves, the story whereof we had when we were in Russia. After this we hear nothing of them in the stories of the Greeks and Romans, unless those Amazon:, who attended their Queen Thalestris, when she bestowed a visit on Alexander, were rather of these Sarmarian Amazon:, than of those of Pontus and Thermodon, as I think they were: the neerness of their dwelling to Hyrcania, in which place they found him, inducing me to this opinion. But possible enough it is, (though it be not certain) that some of these Sarmatian tribes, though by other names, hearing of the successes of the Hunnes, Avares, and other barbarous nations which made havock of the Roman Empire; might join themselves unto them, and make up their numbers: those nations being else two small to compound such Armies, as by them were brought into the field against the Romans, with out such like helps. What their estate hath been since subdued by the Tartars, hath been shewn already.

1676. A most exact and accurate map of the whole world by Donald Lupton.

In Tartaria deserta, W. Precopensis and Russia, E. Zagathai, N. Frozen Sea, S. Euxine, and Caspian; so fruitful, if the Tartars (that laugh at us for living on the top of reeds; so they call our bread) say true, that for once sowing Mill and Punicum they have without any tillage three Returns of both; Few Cities, (they roving with their herds, as the grass holds capable of Merchandise, having a fair sea coast, several Bays, Havens, and navigable Rivers, only Mountains, on the top of which the Sun shines when its night in the Valley) saving 1 Locoppa. 2 Conice, Phanogoria, St. Georges on the Bosphorus and Rha, neer which on both sides there is a medicinal root called Rha Pontiche, to distinguish it from Rha-Barbarum or Rhubarb. This tract inaccessible. 3 Bolgar on the River Volga, neer which is the greatest herd of Tartars, called Horda Magna. 4 Scharaishe on the other side of the Volga, where is no money but brass, no corn but roots troublesome to Muscovy, who pacifieth them with presents, yet keeping continual Garrisons at Casan, Astrachan, and Wiatra, least they should disturb the Russia trade in the Caspian Down the Volga, as they go up and down in herds following the Pole-star, but keeping close for fear of the Muscovite; much delighted in Negromancy and Conjurations under the Cham of Chathai; their delicacies are mice, serpents, and other wormes, and their mansions Caves.

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.

TARTARIA the Desart answers to the ancient Scythia intra Imaum; Ʋsbeck or Zagathay to the ancient Bactriana and Sogdiana; both the one and the other new Name retaining, in my opinion, something of the ancient; Sogdiana of Zagathay, and Bactriana of Ʋsbeck: Turquestan to the ancient Scythia extra Imdum. Cathay is the Serico Regia. As for the True Tartary it is unknown unto the Ancients, or at least it holds the most Northern part of the one and the other Scythia.

Tartaria Deserta is bounded on the West with the Rivers Volga and Oby, which divides it from Moscovy on the East, by Mount Imaus, which separates it from the True Tartaria, and from Turquestan; on the North by the Septentrional Ocean; on the South by the Caspian or Tabarestan Sea, by the River Chesell, and by certain Mountains which joyn themselves with Imaus, and divide it from Ʋsbeck or Zagathay. All the Country is inhabited by Peoples or Tribes, which are Troops or Bands which they call Hordes, having very few Walled places, whither they only retire themselves when forced; for they have no settled stay or abode, but wandring perpetually, carrying and driving with them their Tents, Chariots, Families, and all they possess, stopping only there were they find the best food for their Cattel, to which, as also in Hunting and War, they most addict themselves. They Till not the Earth, though it be good and fertil; and hence it is that this is called Tartary the Defart. The chief places in this part are;

1. Cumbalich, seated on a Lake.
2. Gerstina, seated between the two other Lakes, which are conjoyned together by a River.
3. Jerom, on a branch of the River Oby.
4. Risan, seated on the River Jaick.
5. Frutach.
6. Centan.
7. Caracus.
8. Organci,
9. Davasi.

The People that inhabit in this part, have their rise from three several Originals, which are disposed of into many several parts; as,

1. The Circassians, which are for the most part Christians, and border upon the Euxine Sea.
2. The Samoyeds, who are altogether Idolaters, inhabiting towards the Northern Ocean: and,
3. Tartars, which are Mahometans, and seated betwixt both the other. And those again are subdivided into divers Tribes or Hordes; the chiefest of which are, 1) The Nagajan Tartars, which are held to be more fierce and cruel, and better Warriers than the other Tartars, but void of all Arts; despising Mony, or the use of Corn, accounting Mares-milk and House-flesh their best dyet, which they are not over-curious in dressing, it sufficing if it is only heated, though with the Sun: and this Horde paies yet some Tribute to the great Duke of Moscovy, to whom likewise part of this Tartaria Desert a belongs. 2) The Thumenenses, who are also a warlike People, and much addicted to Divinations and Sorceries. 3) The Zavolhenses are very powerful. The Kirgessi are also very strong and warlike; they are partly Gentiles, and partly Mahometans: They care not to bury their Dead, because of their so after removing, thinking never to see them more, and so leaving them hanging upon Trees. The Country is very fertil, if tilled, being fit to produce several good Commodities, and is also very fit for Traffick, having commodious Havens; and if they would addict themselves to it, would soon gain a good Trade with several other Nations.