I have read with great interest the passages of the manuscript relating to precious stones, and I have admired their conscientious appreciation and exactness in details.
A doubt was raised with respect to stones of combined colours; they do exist, but are by no means valued in Europe.
The proportions of the prices in regard to weights, are still very exact as to the Indian market, and uncut stones.
Experiments similar to those here described have been made in Europe, and chiefly in Germany, to heighten the colour of gems, rubies especially, by exposing them to fire, but their success has been so hazardous, nay costly, that speculation has been unwilling to expose itself to so much risk.
Jargon-corindon or circon was much used in the sixteenth century, and is now without value: it has the merit of possessing the hardness of the sapphire.
Henry Capt,
Jeweller.17, Rue du Rhône, Geneva.
NOTE TO PAGE [30].
The Munich MS. No. 571, like the Barcelona MS., has: "y las naos de alli se enpeguen el dicho yncenso el qual le vale alli de ciento cinquenta mrs el quintal." But the Munich MS. No. 570 has: "e las naos desta costa son embreadas en el e vale el quintal de ciento o ciento y cinquenta reaes en la tierra en donde nace."
So that the meaning of the passage is that the ships are caulked or pitched with this herb or gum.
NOTE TO PAGE [35].
The Munich MS. No. 571 is like the Barcelona MS., but the MS. No. 570 gives this list of places:—"Lefete, quesebey, tabla, beroho, cal, cor, juza, mohymacim, lima, horbaz, alguefa, carmoni, cohmobarque, conch, conga, ebrahemi, xenaa, menacio, xamyle, leytan, bamtani, doam, loram," and leaves out the words which in the other two MSS. follow after the names of Quesebi, Carmoni, and Ebrahemi. From this MS. No. 570 it is clear how tabla got into the maps.