to pray, as they do now to shelter their flocks.

On descending from the castle, and passing by the lake of Ain el Zilkah, I was shewn a small white worm, about six inches in length. and the size of whipcord in girth, which is used here successfully as a leech, and found in great numbers in these waters. It attached itself by one end only to any substance on which it was placed; but when in motion, no difference could be perceived between that particular end and the other.

Our afternoon was passed at another Mohammedan house, in a large party, until sunset, as it is the fashion among the higher ranks here to sup early, soon after El Assr, or about four o'clock, in order to distinguish themselves from the vulgar, who cannot enjoy that meal until after Muggrib, or dark, when their labours of the day are over; so different are their notions of fashion, as to hours, from those which prevail in Europe.

It was cool and agreeable when we reached the outer khan, where we had hitherto slept; and after prayers, in which all the Moslems

* Voyage de Benjamin de Tudele-Bergeron's Collection.

joined in couples, under the direction of an Imaum, or leader, our evening was closed with the same festive gaiety as that which marked the preceding ones of our stay here.

CHAPTER VI.

FURTHER DETENTION AT ORFAH: INTERIOR OF THE CITY, GARDENS, AND ENTERTAIN

MENTS.

JUNE 8th-The business of the caravan being closed, and all the purchases and sales, which had occasioned our detention here, effected, we were preparing for our departure to-night, when information was brought us, by some people who had themselves been robbed on the road, that the Beni-Saood, or Wahabees, had made an incursion to the northward, and were now encamped, in considerable numbers, by the way.

These predatory Arabs were represented to be, in their persons, dress, manner of living, and religious tenets, every thing that was hideous, frightful, and savage; their extraordinary capacity of going, like their camels,