[76]Bruce, in speaking of this animal, observes that most of the animals confounded with him, are about six times smaller than he is. The want of a critical knowledge of the Arabic language, and of natural history at the same time, has, in some measure, been the occasion of these errors among the moderns. Bochart discusses the several errors of the ancients with great judgment, and the Count de Buffon, in a very elegant and pleasant manner, hath nearly exhausted the whole. See Select Specimens of Nat. Hist. collected in Travels to discover the Source of the Nile, Vol. V. Appendix, p. 108. Title Hyæna.
[77]A description of this herb will be given in its proper place.
[78]Andik aineen el Gazel ia Lella. Beek zin el Gazel ia Lella. You possess the eyes of an antelope, O Lady—You possess the beauty of a gazel, O Lady, are irresistible compliments with the Arabs. Again, Zin el mikkumule, and Zin el Gazel, perfect beauty, and gazel beauty, are synonymous terms.
[79]Horreh signifies any thing pure and free; thus a free-born man, (having a handsome person and virtuous mind,) is called Rajel Horreh; a horse of high breed is called Aoud el Horreh; it is also opposed to Abd, which signifies a slave.
[80]Possibly bizoar may be a corruption of Bide el Horreh.
[81]A shrub of Atlas used in tanning.
[82]Sir Joseph Banks.
[83]The Saharawan lizard is also called Dubb by the Arabs (See under [Reptiles]), and from the similitude of name, the conjecture that bears are found in Africa may have originated.
[84]The mountain at Ceuta is called Jibbel D’Zatute, the Mountain of Apes.
[85]Job, ch. 39, v. 9, 10.