(415)
tries above-mention'd; and rest perswaded, that all possible endeavours shall be employed on our parts, to recommend all, what shall thus be proposed by them, to Our Correspondents, with the same earnestness we do our own Directions, suggested by several of our Curious Friends.
Inquiries for Suratte,
and other parts of the East-Indies,
Though these Quæries have been already dispatcht for India, and some of them even received an Answer, yet, because 'tis altogether necessary, to have confirmations of the truth of these things from several hands, before they be relied on, it was thought fit, rather to publish the Inquiries alone, for a more certain and full Information, than now to joyn such Answers thereunto.
The Inquiries are these; as the Relations publisht by Purchas, Linschoten, and others, concerning those parts, have given occasion to propose them.
1. Whether it be true, that Diamonds and other Pretious Stones, do grow again after three or four years, in the same places where they have been digg'd out?
2. Whether the Quarries of Stone near Fettipore, not far from Agra, in the Mongol's Dominions, may be cleft like Loggs, and sawn like Planks. to ceel Chambers and cover Houses therewith? Likewise, Whether about Sadrapatan, on the Coast of Coromandel, there be a Stone of the like nature, so as, setting a Wedge upon it, one may cleave it with at Mallet as thick and as thin, as one pleaseth?
3. Whether upon the same Coast of Coromandel, about Tutucorin; and upon that of Ceylon, at Manar, and Jafanapatan, they fish Pearls, as good as those about Ormus? Whether those Pearls are the better, the deeper they lie? What is the greatest depth, they are known to have been taken at? And whether it be true, that some of the Natives there, can stay under Water half an hour, without any Art?
4. Whether the Iron in Pegu and Japan, be far better than ours; and if so, what is to be observed in the melting, forging, and tempering of it?
5. Whether
