[121]. There is a constant clerical confusion in the texts between “Arar” (Juniperus Oxycedrus used by the Greeks for the images of their gods) and “Marmar” marble or alabaster, in the Talmud “Marmora” = marble, evidently from μάρμαρος = brilliant, the brilliant stone.
[122]. These Ifritical names are chosen for their bizarrerie. “Al-Dáhish” = the Amazed; and “Al-A’amash” = one with weak eyes always watering.
[123]. The Arabs have no word for million; so Messer Marco Miglione could not have learned it from them. On the other hand the Hindus have more quadrillions than modern Europe.
[124]. This formula, according to Moslems, would begin with the beginning “There is no iláh but Allah and Adam is the Apostle (rasúl = one sent, a messenger; not nabí = prophet) of Allah.” And so on with Noah, Moses, David (not Solomon as a rule) and Jesus to Mohammed.
[125]. This son of Barachia has been noticed before. The text embroiders the Koranic chapter No. xxvii.
[126]. The Bresl. Edit. (vi. 371) reads “Samm-hu” = his poison, prob. a clerical error for “Sahmhu” = his shaft. It was a duel with the “Shiháb” or falling stars, the meteors which are popularly supposed, I have said, to be the arrows shot by the angels against devils and evil spirits when they approach too near Heaven in order to overhear divine secrets.
[127]. A fancy sea from the Lat. “Carcer” (?).
[128]. Andalusian = Spanish, the Vandal-land, a term accepted by the Moslem invader.
[129]. This fine description will remind the traveller of the old Haurani towns deserted since the sixth century, which a silly writer miscalled the “Giant Cities of Bashan.” I have never seen anything weirder than a moonlight night in one of these strong places whose masonry is perfect as when first built, the snowy light pouring on the jet-black basalt and the breeze sighing and the jackal wailing in the desert around.
[130]. “Zanj,” I have said, is the Arab. form of the Persian “Zang-bar” (= Black-land), our Zanzibar. Those who would know more of the etymology will consult my “Zanzibar,” etc., chapt. i.