To the question whether there are Antipodes or not, it may be replied that, the world being round (as is notorious), it is certain that there are. But for my part I hold that, the lower part of this world not having been completely discovered, it cannot certainly be known what provinces are the antipodes of those on this side, as some affirm. This may be said more truly of the heavens than of the earth; for the poles are opposite each other, and so are the east and west, at any point on the equinoctial. Nor can it be certainly known whence so many tribes of such different languages and customs, as are found in the New World, can have come from. For if it be said that they came by the sea in ships, there arise difficulties touching the animals that are found in the New World, for how and in what manner could they have been embarked, some of them being more noxious than useful. If it be supposed that they came by land, still greater difficulties arise; for if the domesticated animals of the Old World were brought that way, how is it that others were not brought which have since been conveyed to the New World? If it be that they could not bring so many, how is it that they did not leave behind some of those that are met with?