Taprobane, An yle in the Indian sea, and was of some olde writers supposed to be in the contrarie part of the world against vs, and therefore they called it another world. It lyeth in the poynt betweene east and west, the quantitis thereof is diuersly described by sundris authours. For Strabo writeth, that it is in length viii. thousande furlonges, which is a thousande miles. Plinius, Martianus and Solinus, do affirme it to be in length vii. thousande furlongs, whiche is viii. C. lxxv. miles, in bredth 5000. furlongs, which is 625. miles: part of it extendeth beyonde the equinoctiall lyue, more south, and hath on the northeast, the lesse Indie. It is now called Samotra, and is vnder the dominion of % great Cam, and is gouerned by 4 kinges in an exquisite fourme of iustice, notwithstanding that the people bee sdolatours. They hunt Tigers, Oliphants, and Panthers, of the which there is great plentie. Also, there be founde Carbuncles, Saphyres, Iacinctes. Topaces, Rubies, and Granates, in great numbers. There groweth Cinamome, Canell, Benioime and other sweete trees in great abundance, and they haue money of golde siluer, and brasse, of the same waighte and value, that the auncient coyne of the Romayues was.There is also found great pleutie of orient pearles.
Lewis and Short: Latin dictionary
Tāprŏbănē, ēs, f., = *taproba/nh,an island in the Indian Ocean, now Ceylon, Mel. 3, 7, 7; Plin. 6, 22, 24, 81; Ov. P. 1, 5, 80; Avien. Perieg. 777.—Also written Tā-prŏbăna, App. de Mundo, p. 60, 16.