M.C. De Perceval States, I Know
Not Upon Whose Authority, That It Was Dug To Protect The North-West,
The North, And The North-Eastern Sides Of The Town:
This is rendered
highly improbable by the features of the ground.
The learned are
generally agreed that all traces of the moat had disappeared before our
15th century.
[FN#3] In Egypt, the lower branches of the date are lopped off about
Christmas time to increase the flavour of the fruit; and the people
believe that without this "Taklim," as it is called, the tree would
die. In Upper Egypt, however, as at Al-Madinah, the fronds are left
untouched.
[FN#4] The visitor from Al-Madinah would be badly received by the women
of his family, if he did not present them on his return with a few
boxes of dates, some strings of the same fruit, and skins full of henna
powder. Even the Olema allow such articles to be carried away, although
they strictly forbid keepsakes of earth or stone.
[FN#5] This fruit must not be confounded with the enucleated conserve
of dates, which in Arabia, as in Egypt, is known by the name of Ajwah.
The Arabs infinitely despise the stuff sold at Alexandria and Cairo,
declaring that it is fit only for cows. The Ajwah of the Oases,
particularly of Siwah, is of excellent quality.
[FN#6] So in A.D. 1272 the Crucifix spoke to St. Thomas Aquinas.
Superstitions are of no age or country.
[FN#7] At Al-Madinah-
12 Dirhams - - - - - - - (drams) - - - - - - - - - make 1 Wukkiyah
(ounce).
20 Wukkiyah - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -1 Ratl (pound).
33 Wukkiyah and 3 - - - -(drams) - - - - - - - - - - - -1 Wukkah (less
than 2 lbs).
4 Wukkah - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -1 Mudd.
24 Mudd - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -1 Ardeb.
This Ratl, or pound, is the larger one applied to particular articles
of commerce-such as meat, vegetables, and clarified butter; coffee,
rice, soap, &c., are sold by the smaller Ratl of Meccah, equal to 140
dirhams.
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