The now indispensable sextant was but clumsily anticipated by the newly invented astrolabe.

The use of the compass had scarcely become familiar to navigators, who indeed but imperfectly understood its properties.

And who could tell, it was objected, that a ship which might succeed in sailing down the waste of waters would ever be able to return, for would not the voyage home be a perpetual journey up a mountain of sea?
INCITEMENTS TO DISCOVERY.
But the same tradition which set forth the difficulties of reaching the undiscovered countries promised a splendid reward to the successful voyager.

Rivers rolling down golden sand, mountains shining with priceless gems, forests fragrant with rich spices were among the substantial advantages to be expected as the result of the enterprise.

"Our quest there," said Peter Martyr, "is not for the vulgar products of Europe." The proverb "Omne ignotum pro magnifico" [Transcribers's note: Everything unknown is taken for magnificent.] was abundantly illustrated.