traueiling through many
countreys, at length I came vnto the land of Iob named Hus, which is fulle
of all kinde of victuals, and very pleasantly situated. Thereabouts are
certaine mountains hauing good pastures for cattell upon them. Here also
Manna is found in great aboundance. Four partriges are here solde for lesse
than a groat In this countrey there are most comely olde men. Here also the
men spin and card, and not the women. This land bordereth vpon the North
part of Chalddaea.

Of the maners of the Chaldaeans, and of India.

[Sidenote: The Tower of Babel.] From thence I traueled into Chaldaea which
is a great kingdome, and I passed by the tower of Babel. This region hath a
language peculiar vnto it selfe, and there are beautifull men, and deformed
women. The men of the same countrey vse to haue their haire kempt, and
trimmed like vnto our women: and they weare golden turbants vpon their
heades richly set with pearle, and pretious stones. The women are clad in a
coarse smock onely reaching to their knees, and hauing long sleeues hanging
downe to the ground. And they goe bare-footed, wearing breeches which reach
to the ground also. Thei weare no attire vpon their heads, but their haire
hangs disheaueled about their eares: and there be many other strange things
also. From thence I came into the lower India, which the Tartars ouerran
and wasted. And in this countrey the people eat dates for the most part,
whereof 42. li. are there sold for lesse than a groat. [Sidenote: Ormus.] I
passed further also many dayes iourney vnto the Ocean sea, and the first
land where I arriued, is called Ormes, being well fortified, and hauing
great store of marchandize and treasure therein. Such and so extreme is the
heat in that countrey, that the priuities of men come out of their bodies
and hang down euen vnto their mid-legs. And therefore the inhabitants of
the same place, to preserue their own liues, do make a certaine ointment,
and anointing their priuie members therewith, do lap them up in certaine
bags fastened vnto their bodies, for otherwise they must needs die. Here
also they vse a kinde of Bark or shippe called Iase being compact together
onely with hempe. [Sidenote: Thana, whereof Frederick Caesar maketh
mention.] And I went on bourd into one of them, wherein I could not finde
any yron at all, and in the space of 28 dayes I arriued at the city of
Thana, wherein foure of our friers were martyred for the faith of Christ.
This