In Chapter CXLIX, Voltaire discusses the Magellan expedition, particularly focusing on the Mariana Islands. He elaborates on the islands’ local produce, vegetarian diet, housing, and religious practices. The chapter also features historical figures, such as Don Henri and Pope Alexander VI, and concludes with a brief discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of colonialism.

The Spanish poets named are:-Conde de Salinas [Diego de Silva?], Bernardo Vieira, [?Jorge] Montemayor, Don Juan de Sandobal, Don Joseph de Barcia y Zembrana, Bishop of Cadiz, and Lope de Vega Carpio. The Portuguese poets are:-Violante do Ceo, Francisco de Matos, Conde de Cocolim, Pedro de Quadros, Pedro Duarte Ferrð, Jorge da Camara, Gregorio de Matos, Frei Pedro de Sa-Doninicano, Don Francisco de Portugal, Ignacio Monteiro, Frei Manoel de S. Joseph, Antonio Barbora Barcelar, Francisco Roiz Lobo, and Antonio Serrað. At f. 175 is a paraphrase in French verse of the hymn, “Ave verum corpus,” and a copy of “Vere, de NI, Harouet [François Arouet de Voltaire?] à Mr [Louis] Racine sur son Poème sur la Grace.”