I Have Ascertained This Many Times At
Bantam, Having Found Many Of Them To Turn Out Mere Chalk, With A Bit Of
Stick In The Middle, That Weighed A Javan Taile, Or Two English
Ounces.
Most of the counterfeit bezoars come from Succadanea in Borneo.
The true oriental bezoars come from Patane, Banjarmassen, Succadanea,
Macasser, and the Isola das Vaccas at the entrance to Cambodia.[139]
[Footnote 139: In old times, oriental bezoar was prized at a high rate
in medicine, having many fancied valuable qualities, now found by
experience to be altogether imaginary; so that it is now confined to
cabinets of curiosities. It is merely an accidental concretion, which
takes place in the stomachs of various animals, somewhat similar to a
gall-stone. - E.]
Of Amber,[140] in regard to colour, there are many different kinds, as
black, white, brown, and grey; of all which the black is usually the
worst, and the grey the best. That which is freest from filth or dross
of any kind, and purest in itself, ought to be chosen; of a colour
inclining to white, or ash-coloured, or intermixed with ash-coloured
veins, and other white veins. When put into water it ought to swim; and
though some that is sophisticated will likewise float, it is certain
that none which is pure will sink. The greatest quantity of this
commodity comes from Mozambique and Sofala.
[Footnote 140: Ambergris is assuredly meant in the text. - E.]
Sec. 9. Of the principal Places of Trade in India, and the Commodities
they afford.[141]
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 295 of 815
Words from 79967 to 80226
of 221842
