SCOTIA.

This Scotland original: "Scotia" holds many marvels, a portion of which we have gathered from Hector Boëthius. In Galloway Gallouidia there is a lake called Myrtoun, one part of which freezes in winter like other waters, while the other cannot be frozen by any amount of cold. In the region of Carrick Caricta there are oxen of enormous size, whose meat is tender and pleasant to eat, but their fat never congeals, always flowing like liquid oil. The ocean washing these shores is rich in oysters, herring, conger eels, cockles, and other fish of that kind, especially those found among rocks. In the province of Kyle Coÿl, barely ten thousand paces from the town of Ayr, there is a rock scarcely twelve feet high, extending to a thickness of 33 cubits, not undeservedly called by the inhabitants "The Deaf." For no matter how loud a noise or sound you make, or even if you fire a cannon on one side, it cannot be heard on the opposite side, unless you are very far away, for then the sound is easily perceived. In Lennox, which Ptolemy calls Lelgouia, there is a lake that is by far the largest, called in the vernacular Loch Lomond Loumond; it extends over 24 miles in length and eight in width. It contains thirty islands, most of which are inhabited by frequent villages and have churches and chapels dedicated to saints. Three things worthy of memory are found in this place. For the fish caught there lack fins. The lake is sometimes so immensely agitated when no wind is blowing that it deters even the boldest sailors from setting out. Thus, when the wind ceases, ships caught mid-journey are tossed with the greatest danger; and unless some port happens to be near, they are usually overturned. Finally, there is a certain island rich in flocks and herds for grazing, but it is floating and drifting, carried here and there wherever the winds drive it. It is a constant rumor that a stone is born in Argyll Argadia which, if placed under straw or hemp for a little too long, causes a fire. At Slains—the name of a castle in Buchan Buquhania—there is a cave of an admirable nature. For water dripping into it turns over time into very white stones; and were they not removed at a certain time of year, it would have long since been filled with them. No larger mouse is seen in this region, nor if one is imported, can it survive there. In the Fife Fifa region, black stone is dug out in great quantity, suited beyond measure for making fire. At the mouth of the River Forth in the middle of the sea, there is a very high crag, from the summit of which a spring of fresh water gushes forth, an admirable miracle of nature. About two thousand paces from Edinburgh, a spring gushes out upon which drops of oil float, with the power that if you collect nothing from it, no more flows in; but however much you take away, no less remains. This oil is effective against various skin scabs. So much for these things. Scotland has a gold mine in the region of Clydesdale Drildalia, in which is also found that which is commonly called azure. It also has mines of iron and lead.