ABSTRACT
AFTER passing these Ambam Islands there are five others, close to one another, which they call Maluquo,3 wherein grow all the cloves. They belong both to Heathen and Moors: their Kings are Moors. The first l they call Pachel, the second Moten [the third Machiam], the fourth Tidor and the fifth Tanarte wherein dwells a Moorish King whom they call Soltam Binaracola. He was formerly King of all five, but now the four have risen against him and are independent. The woods of these Islands are all full of certain trees like unto ba ytrees and their leaves are like those of the medronho 1 (arbutus) ; whereon grow the cloves in clusters like orange or woodbine flowers It grows very green and then turns white, but when it is ripe it is of a fine red colour. Then the natives of the land.gather it by hand and spread it out to dry in the sun, when it turns black; and if there is no sun they dry it in smoke-houses. When it is dry they sprinkle it with a little salt water that it may not become mouldy and may preserve its full virtues. And of this they gather so great a quantity in these five islands that it cannot be conveyed out of the country, as well as much which they leave ungathered, or which is lost in the forest. If it is not gathered for three years the trees run wild, and that which they yield thereafter is worthless.
