It is also to be observed that in adopting the fiftieth parallel as the extent of the discovery in the north, Ramusio obtained the statement from the cosmography, showing that he had that portion of the letter before him; and confirming the conclusion, expressed in a previous section, that his version was composed from the Carli copy of the letter, in which alone the cosmography occurs.  Whether this limit was so transposed by him for a purpose or not, may be a question; but the origin of it cannot be disputed.

VI.

Iv.  The description of the people and productions of the land not
made from the personal observation of the writer of the letter.  What
distinctively belonged to the natives is unnoticed, and what is
originally mentioned of them is untrue.  Further alterations of the
text by Ramusio.

We are brought now to the observations in reference to the people and productions of the country.  The communications which the explorers had with the shore are not represented as having been numerous, or their visits of long duration, the longest having been one of three days, while they were riding at anchor off the coast of North Carolina, and another of fifteen, spent in replenishing the supplies for their ship, in the harbor in the great bay of Massachusetts.  These opportunities were however, it seems, sufficient to have enabled them to study the characteristics of the natives and to determine the nature of the vegetation at those places; but the description given of both is very general.  Not a single person, sagamore or warrior, or even the boy who was carried away to France, is designated by name, nor any object peculiar to the region by its native appellation.  Not an Indian word, by which a locality or a tribe might be traced, occurs in the whole narrative.  Some familiar details are mentioned of Indian manners and customs, which give the account the appearance of truth, but there is nothing in them which may not have been deduced from known narratives of earlier voyages to adjoining parts of America; while much that was peculiar to the country claimed to have been discovered, and of a character to compel observation, is omitted; and some particulars stated which could not have existed.