[476]. Arab. “Surayyá” in Dictionaries a dim. of Sarwá = moderately rich. It may either denote abundance of rain or a number of stars forming a constellation. Hence in Job (xxxviii. 31) it is called a heap (kímah).
[477]. Pleiads in Gr. the Stars whereby men sail.
[478]. This is the Eastern idea of the consequence of satisfactory coition which is supposed to be the very seal of love. Westerns have run to the other extreme.
[479]. “Al-Ríf” simply means lowland: hence there is a Ríf in the Nile-delta. The word in Europe is applied chiefly to the Maroccan coast opposite Gibraltar (not, as is usually supposed the North-Western seaboard) where the Berber-Shilhá race, so famous as the “Rif pirates” still closes the country to travellers.
[480]. i.e. Upper Egypt.
[481]. These local excellencies of coition are described jocosely rather than anthropologically.
[482]. See vol. i. [223]: I take from Torrens, p. 223.
[483]. For the complete ablution obligatory after copulation before prayers can be said. See vol. vi. [199].
[484]. Arab. “Zunnár,” the Greek ζωνάριον, for which, see vol. ii. [215].
[485]. Miriam (Arabic Maryam), is a Christian name, in Moslem lands. Abú Maryam “Mary’s father” (says Motarrazi on Al-Hariri, Ass. of Alexandria) is a term of contempt, for men are called after sons (e.g. Abu Zayd), not after daughters. In more modern authors Abu Maryam is the name of ushers and lesser officials in the Kazi’s court.