[397]. i.e. subject to the Maharajah of Hind.
[398]. This is not a mistake: I have seen heavy hail in Africa, N. Lat. 4°; within sight of the Equator.
[399]. Arab. “Harrákat,” here used in the sense of smaller craft, and presently for a cock-boat.
[400]. See vol. i. 138: here by way of variety I quote Mr. Payne.
[401]. This explains the Arab idea of the “Old Man of the Sea” in Sindbad the Seaman (vol. vi. 50). He was not a monkey nor an unknown monster; but an evil Jinni of the most powerful class, yet subject to defeat and death.
[402]. These Plinian monsters abound in Persian literature. For a specimen see Richardson Dissert. p. xlviii.
[403]. Arab. “Anyáb,” plur. of “Náb” = canine tooth (eye-tooth of man), tusks of horse and camel etc.
[404]. Arab. “Kásid,” the Anglo-Indian Cossid. The post is called Baríd from the Persian “burídah” (cut) because the mules used for the purpose were dock-tailed. Barid applies equally to the post-mule, the rider and the distance from one station (Sikkah) to another which varied from two to six parasangs. The letter-carrier was termed Al-Faránik from the Pers. Parwánah, a servant. In the Diwán al-Baríd (Post-office) every letter was entered in a Madraj or list called in Arabic Al-Askidár from the Persian “Az Kih dárí” = from whom hast thou it?
[405]. “Ten years” in the Bresl. Edit. iv. 244.
[406]. In the Bresl. Edit. (iv. 245) we find “Kalak,” a raft, like those used upon the Euphrates, and better than the “Fulk,” or ship, of the Mac. Edit.