[341]. For the “Ardabb” (prop. “Irdabb”) = five bushels: see vol. i. 263.
[342]. [In the MS. “’Ayyinah,” probably a mis-reading for “’Ayniyyah” = a sample, pattern.—St.]
[343]. In text “Kubbah” = vault, cupola, the dome of unbaked brick upon peasants’ houses in parts of Egypt and Syria, where wood for the “Sat’h” or flat roof is scarce. The household granary is in the garret, from which the base of the dome springs, and the “expense-magazines” consist of huge standing coffers of wattle and dab propped against the outside walls of the house.
[344]. Gen. “Baysár” or “Faysár,” = beans cooked in honey and milk. See retro, Night ccclxxxviii. for its laxative properties.
[345]. [In the MS. “barbastu,” with the dental instead of the palatal sibilant (Sín instead of Sád). Spelled in the former way the verb “barbasa” means, he sought, looked for, and is therefore out of place here. Spelled in the second manner, it signifies literally, he watered the ground abundantly. Presently we shall find the passive participle “mubarbasah” in the feminine, because referring to the noun “Tíz” = anus, which, like its synonym “Ist,” professes the female gender.—St.]
[346]. [In Ar. “Mubarbasah,” for which see the preceding note.—St.]
[347]. The Moslem’s tomb is an arched vault of plastered brick, large enough for a man to sit up at ease and answer the Questioning Angels; and the earth must not touch the corpse as it is supposed to cause torture. In the graves of the poorer classes a niche (lahad) offsets from the fosse and is rudely roofed with palm-fronds and thatch. The trick played in the text is therefore easy; see Lane’s illustration M.E. chapt. xviii. The reader will not forget that all Moslems make water squatting upon their hunkers in a position hardly possible to an untrained European: see vol. i. 259.
[348]. The bull being used in the East to turn the mill and the water-wheel; vol. i. 16.
[349]. In text “Ratl.” See vol. iv. 124.
[350]. About 1s. 2d.