"They have no money, but they use salt as currency."

"They have no religion, and they believe in nothing but what they see with their own eyes."

"They have a kind of bird that is so beautiful that it is like a jewel."

"The Great Khan has a vast palace all roofed with gold and silver, and decorated with dragons and beasts and birds."

"These people are very ungenerous, and they never give anything to the poor, but hoard all their wealth."