"They also put some betel-nut and
kath (catechu) on one leaf, and some lime-paste on another, and roll
them up; this is called a berah. Some put camphor and musk into it, and
tie both leaves with a silk thread," etc. (See Blochmann's Transl. p.
73.) Finally one of the Chinese notices of Kamboja, translated by Abel
Remusat, says: "When a guest comes it is usual to present him with areca,
camphor, and other aromatics." (Nouv. Mel. I. 84.)
[Illustration: Map showing the position of the Kingdom of ELY in MALABAR]
[Illustration: Sketch showing the position of KAYAL in TINNEVELLY]
NOTE 5. - This is the only passage of Ramusio's version, so far as I know,
that suggests interpolation from a recent author, as distinguished from
mere editorial modification. There is in Barbosa a description of the
duello as practised in Canara, which is rather too like this one.
[1] "Sonagar or Jonagar is a Tamil corruption of Yavanar, the Yavanas,
the name by which the Arabs were known, and is the name most commonly
used in the Tamil country to designate the mixed race descended from
Arab colonists, who are called Mapillas on the Malabar coast, and
Lubbies in the neighbourhood of Madras." (Dr. C.'s note)
[2] I am sorry to say that the coin never reached its destination. In the
latter part of 1872 a quantity of treasure was found near Kayal by the
labourers on irrigation works. Much of it was dispersed without coming
under intelligent eyes, and most of the coins recovered were Arabic.
One, however, is stated to have been a coin of "Joanna of Castille,
A.D. 1236." (Allen's India Mail, 5th January, 1874.) There is no such
queen. Qu. Joanna I. of Navarre (1274-1276)? or Joanna II. of
Navarre (1328-1336)?
[3] See above, p. 334, as to Dr. Caldwell's view of Polo's Sonderbandi. May
not Ashar very well represent Ashadha, "invincible," among the
applications of which Williams gives "N. of a prince". I observe also
that Aschar (Sansk. Aschariya "marvellous") is the name of one of
the objects of worship in the dark Sakti system, once apparently
potent in S. India. (See Taylor's Catalogue Raisonne, II. 414, 423,
426, 443, and remark p. xlix.)
["Ils disent donc que Dieu qu'ils appellent Achar, c'est-a-dire,
immobile ou immuable." (F. Bernier, Voy., ed. 1699, II. p.
134.) - MS. Note. - H.Y.]
CHAPTER XXII.
OF THE KINGDOM OF COILUM.
When you quit Maabar and go 500 miles towards the south-west you come to
the kingdom of COILUM. The people are Idolaters, but there are also some
Christians and some Jews. The natives have a language of their own, and a
King of their own, and are tributary to no one.[NOTE 1]
A great deal of brazil is got here which is called brazil Coilumin
from the country which produces it; 'tis of very fine quality.[NOTE 2]
Good ginger also grows here, and it is known by the same name of
Coilumin after the country.[NOTE 3] Pepper too grows in great
abundance throughout this country, and I will tell you how.
