so extreme, nor much differing from the temperature of England.  Those which haue arriued there after November and December, haue found the snow exceeding deepe, whereat no maruaile, considering the ground vpon the coast, is rough and uneuen, and the snow is driuen into the places most declyning as the like is to be seene with vs.  The like depth of snow happily shall not be found within land vpon the playner countries, which also are defended by the mountaines, breaking off the violence of winds and weather.  But admitting extraordinary cold in those South parts, aboue that with vs here:  it can not be as great as in Sweedland, much lesse in Moscouia or Russia:  [Sidenote:  Commodities.] yet are the same countries very populous, and the rigor and cold is dispensed with by the commoditie of Stoues, warme clothing, meats and drinkes:  all which neede not be wanting in the Newfound land, if we had intent there to inhabite.[101]

In the South parts we found no inhabitants, which by all likelihood haue abandoned those coastes, the same being so much frequented by Christians:  But in the North are sauages altogether harmelesse.  Touching the commodities of this countrie, seruing either for sustentation of inhabitants, or for maintenance of traffique, there are and may be made diuers:  so that it seemeth Nature hath recompenced that only defect and incommodities of some sharpe cold, by many benefits:  [Sidenote:  Fish of sea and fresh water.] viz.  With incredible quantitie, and no lesse varietie of kindes of fish in the sea and fresh waters, as Trouts, Salmons, and other fish to vs vnknowen:  Also Cod, which alone draweth many nations thither, and is become the most famous fishing of the world.  Abundance of Whales, for which also is a very great trade in the bayes of Placentia and the Grand bay, where is made Traine oiles of the Whale:  Herring the largest that haue bene heard of, and exceeding the Malstrond[102] herring of Norway:  but hitherto was neuer benefit taken of the herring fishing:  There are sundry other fish very delicate, namely the Bonito, Lobsters, Turbut, with others infinite not sought after:  Oysters hauing peare but not orient in colour:  I tooke it by reason they were not gathered in season.

Concerning the inland commodities, aswel to be drawen from this land, as from the exceeding large countries adioyning:  there is nothing which our East and Northerly countries of Europe doe yeelde, but the like also may be made in them as plentifully by time and Industrie:  Namely rosen, pitch, tarre, sopeashes, dealboord, mastes for ships, hides, furres, flaxe, hempe, corne, cordage, linnen-cloth, mettals and many more.  All which the countries will aford, and the soyle is apt to yeelde.

The trees for the most in those South parts are Firre trees Pine and Cypresse, all yeelding Gumme and Turpentine.

Cherrie trees bearing fruit no bigger than a small pease.  Also peare trees but fruitlesse.  Other trees of some sorts to vs vnknowen.