There is a story somewhat like this in D'Herbelot, about the Karmathian
Heretics carrying off the Black Stone from Mecca, and being obliged years
after to bring it back across the breadth of Arabia; on which occasion the
stone conducted itself in a miraculous manner.
There is a remarkable Stone at Samarkand, the Kok-Tash or Green Stone,
on which Timur's throne was set. Tradition says that, big as it is, it was
brought by him from Brusa; - but tradition may be wrong. (See Vambery's
Travels, p. 206.) [Also H. Moser, A travers l'Asie centrale, 114-115.
- H. C.]
[The Archimandrite Palladius (Chinese Recorder, VI. p. 108) quotes from
the Chi shun Chin-kiang chi (Description of Chin-Kiang), 14th century,
the following passage regarding the pillar: "There is a temple (in
Samarcand) supported by four enormous wooden pillars, each of them 40 feet
high. One of these pillars is in a hanging position, and stands off from
the floor more than a foot." - H. C.]
CHAPTER XXXV.
OF THE PROVINCE OF YARCAN.
Yarcan is a province five days' journey in extent. The people follow the
Law of Mahommet, but there are also Nestorian and Jacobite Christians.
They are subject to the same Prince that I mentioned, the Great Kaan's
nephew.
