Note 125 — V. HERE FOLLOWETH CONCERNING INDIA THE GREATER.
Reading edition
“The King [of Ceylon] has the most beautiful ruby that ever was or can be in the whole world. It is the most splendid object on earth, and seems to glow like fire; it is of such value as money could scarcely purchase.” (Polo, iii. 17).
“I also saw in the possession of the King [of Ceylon] a saucer made of ruby, as large as the palm of the hand, in which he kept oil of aloes. I was much surprised at it, when the king said to me, ‘We have much larger than this.’” (Ibn Batuta, p. 187).