Note 268-2 — LETTER FROM COLUMBUS TO LUIS DE SANTANGEL

Marco Polo reported that in the kingdom of Lambri in Sumatra “there are men who have tails like dogs, larger than a palm, and who are covered with hair.” Marco Polo, pt. III., ch. XIV. See Yule’s note on the legend of men with tails, Yule’s Marco Polo, II. 284. The name Avan (Anan in the Latin letter) does not occur in the Journal. Bernaldez, Historia de las Reyes Catolicos, II. 19, gives Albao as one of the provinces of Española. As this name is not found in his chief source, Dr. Chanca’s letter, he may have got it from Columbus and through a lapse of memory transferred it from Cuba to Española.