“Among these mountains, those that lie to the west of the river St. Pierre are called the Shining Mountains, from an infinite number of crystal stones of an amazing size, with which they are covered, and which, when the sun shines full upon them, sparkle so as to be seen at a very great distance. Probably in future ages they may be found to contain more riches in their bowels than those of Indostan and Malabar, or those found on the Golden Coast of Guinea; nor will I except even the Peruvian mines.”