CAPDT I

Lissebona is a city in Portugal, situated in 39 degrees to the north of the equinoctial line. In order to sail from Lisbona to the province of Rio de Jenero, in the country of Brazil, which is also called America, the islands called the Canaries, belonging to the King of Spain, have first to be reached. Six1 of them are here named. The first—Grand Canaria; the next, Lanserutta ; the third, Forte Ventura; the fourth, Il Ferro; the fifth, La Palma; the sixth, Tineriffe. Thence to the islands, called Los Insules de Cape Virde f1 that is to say, the Islands of the Green Headland, which green headland lies in the country of the black Moors, also called the land of Gene. The said islands lie under the Tropic of Cancer, and belong to the King of Portugal. From the islands, the direction sailed is south-south-west, to the country of Brazil, and it is a great wide ocean; often three months long and more are sailed, before the country is reached. First, the Tropic of Cancer is passed, so that it remains behind. Then, through the linea Æquinoctialis; and, upon leaving the north side behind, the north star, which they also call Polum articum, is no longer seen. After this, the height of the Tropic of Capricorn is reached, and one sails along under the sun.