Sonderlinge reysen van Joseph, den geboornen Indiaan; bevattende een aanmerklijke beschrijvingh der landen,...

nicely made, with rings in which precious stones are set. These are highly esteemed by them.

Washing. Every day they wash themselves three times, for which they have their own separate places.
Stature. Both the men and women are generally very beautiful in appearance. They decorate their heads with precious stones and pearls. The heathens write with iron styli on tree bark and use the Indian language.

Christians in Caranganor. Since we have mentioned above that Christians are also found in this city, it will not be unhelpful to give a slightly broader report on this. Know, then, that by the River Indus, where India begins from the West, there is an island, not far from the Persian Stream, called Ormus, where there are Christians, and nowhere else in this region but in the city of Caranganor. [One must note the time in which this was written]. Otherwise, there are many kings in India who profess the Lord Christ.

CHAPTER IV.

Houses and churches of these Christians. THE Christians in Caranganor build their houses with walls, and these have various rafters; however, the heathens cover their houses with wooden planks. The churches of these Christians have some similarity with ours, but only crosses are inside; there are no images of saints. They are vaulted, like ours, and on the top stands a cross, as on the churches in Europe. They have neither bells nor small chimes; and when they call the people together for worship, they hold to the custom of the Greek Christians in this.

Their High Priest. The people have a Great or High Priest (Pope); and near him twelve cardinals,