(Am. Exot. p. 83; Gerb. 1st
Journey, in Duhalde.)
NOTE 3. - The French MSS. read Toscaor; the reading in the text I take
from Ramusio. It is Turki, Toskaul, [Arabic], defined as "Gardien,
surveillant de la route; Waechter, Wache, Wegehueter." (See Zenker, and
Pavet de Courteille.) The word is perhaps also Mongol, for Remusat has
Tosiyal = "Veille." (Mel. As. I. 231.) Such an example of Polo's
correctness both in the form and meaning of a Turki word is worthy of
especial note, and shows how little he merits the wild and random
treatment which has been often applied to the solution of like phrases in
his book.
[Palladius (p. 47) says that he has heard from men well acquainted with
the customs of the Mongols, that at the present day in "battues," the
leaders of the two flanks which surround the game, are called toscaul in
Mongol. - H. C.]
NOTE 4. - The remark in the previous note might be repeated here. The
Bularguji was an officer of the Mongol camp, whose duties are thus
described by Mahomed Hindu Shah in a work on the offices of the Perso-
Mongol Court. "He is an officer appointed by the Council of State, who, at
the time when the camp is struck, goes over the ground with his servants,
and collects slaves of either sex, or cattle, such as horses, camels,
oxen, and asses, that have been left behind, and retains them until the
owners appear and prove their claim to the property, when he makes it over
to them.
