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 the Ganges the air is more temperate and if possible, the foil more fruitful. It abounds with gold mines, and great quantities of precious stones, and is thought to be the land of Ophir, to which Solomon sent his ships for gold. The commodities and days are the same as the other.

The air is temperate in the North, but very hot in the South; and the soil generally fruitful. The longest day fourteen hours and three quarters, and the shortest 13 hours and a quarter. [sic] Its commodities burious silks, carpets, gold manufactures, skins, alabaster, and all sorts of metals. The people are civil to strangers luxurious, extravagant in their expences and much addicted to astrology. The religion Mahometism, and the government absolute, being entirely subject to will of the Emperor, who is stiled the Sophia of Persia.

This vast extended body comprehends Natolia, Arabia, Syria, Phœnicia, Palestine or Judea, and the Euphratian provinces. The religion of these countries is