[173-1] I.e., Spanish Isle, not “Little Spain,” which is sometimes erroneously given in explanation of the Latin Hispaniola. This last is a Latinized form of Española and not a diminutive. Las Casas, I. 367, in the corresponding passage, has “Seeing the greatness and beauty of this island and its resemblance to Spain although much superior and that they had caught fish in it like the fish of Castile and for other similar reasons he decided on December 9 when in the harbor of Concepcion to name this island Spanish Island.”
At a period some time later than his first voyage Columbus decided that Española and Cipango were the same and also identical with the Ophir of the Bible. Cf. his marginal note to Landino’s Italian translation of Pliny’s Natural History, “la isola de Feyti, vel de Ofir, vel de Cipango, a la quale habio posto nome Spagnola.” Raccolta Colombiana, pt. I., vol. II., p. 472.
[174-1] The distance is 11 miles. (Navarrete.)
[175-1] Camarones.
[175-2] The proper English equivalents for these names in the original are hard to find. The corbina was a black fish and the name is found in both Spanish and Portuguese. Pámpanos is translated “giltheads,” but the name is taken over into English as “pompano.” It must be remembered that in many cases the names of European species were applied to American species which resembled them but which were really distinct species of the same genus.
[177-1] Rather, “bread of niames.” Cf. [note, p. 139].
[178-1] Las Casas, I. 373, says that at that season the length of the day in Española is somewhat over eleven hours. The correct latitude is 20°.
[179-1] Elsewhere called Babeque. (Navarrete.)
[180-1] Paradise Valley.
[180-2] Rather, “There are on the edges or banks of the shore many beautiful stones and it is all suitable for walking.” The Spanish text seems to be defective.