H I B E R N I A.

The land of Ireland Hibernia is uneven and mountainous, soft and watery, wooded and marshy. On the very summits of high and steep mountains, you will find pools and marshes; yet it has beautiful plains in places, though they are modest in comparison to the forests. The land is blessed with very rich soil and a productive yield of crops. The mountains abound in cattle, and the groves in wild animals; yet the island is more fruitful in pastures than in crops, and more in grass than in grain. For the grains of wheat here are contracted and smaller, and hardly to be cleaned by the benefit of any winnowing fan. What the Spring produces, the Summer nourishes, and the rainy wetness allows it to be gathered by honey. For this land abounds more than other lands in winds and rainy floods. The island is rich in honey and milk. Solinus and Isidore assert that it lacks bees; but with all due respect to them, they would have written more circumspectly on the contrary, that it lacks vineyards, and is not without bees. For the island has always lacked, and continues to lack, vineyards. Indeed, this island has honey-making bees just like other regions; yet, I believe they would abound in greater numbers if they did not flee the poisonous and bitter yew trees taxos with which the island is overgrown.

The people of this island wear thin black woolens (because the sheep of this land are black), made in a bearded fashion. They are accustomed to small hoods, extended to the elbow. They do not use saddles for riding, nor boots, nor spurs; yet with a rod, arched at the upper part, they both stir the horses and invite them to run. They do use bridles, acting as both bit and rein; by which the horses, always accustomed to herbs, are not at all hindered in their grazing. They go to war naked and unarmed. Yet they use three types of weapons: long lances, javelins, and axes. They are a rustic, inhospitable people; they consider the greatest luxury to be free from labor, and the greatest wealth to enjoy liberty. Only in musical instruments do I find the diligence of this people commendable.

A copperplate engraved map of Ireland, oriented with West at the top and North to the right. The map is enclosed in a rectangular frame with cardinal directions labeled: Occidens (top), Oriens (bottom), Meridies (left), and Septentrio (right). A decorative scroll cartouche in the upper right contains the title "HIBERNIA". The island is divided into four main regions: Mononia, Connacia, Languinia, and Hultonia. Major settlements and landmarks shown include Dunkeran, Rosse, Lymbrick, Galway, Waterford, Wexford, Dublin, Kildare, Drogheda, Arglas, Monaghan, Armagh, and Carrickfergus. Bodies of water and rivers include the River Erne, River Shannon, River Slaney, River Bann, and the River Fyne. To the right of the island, across a channel, is a portion of Scotland labeled "Part of Scotland" with "Ila island" nearby. A scale bar at the bottom left is labeled "English miles" with increments for 30, 60, and 90 miles.