100 MEMOIR OF BURCKHARDT. 



direction, within several miles, and assume the 

 ihram, or pilgrim's cloak, which consists of two 

 pieces of linen, woollen, or cotton cloth, one of 

 which is wrapped round the loins, and the other 

 thrown over the neck and shoulders, leaving the 

 head and part of the right arm uncovered. On 

 entering the city, the liajji has a variety of duties 

 and rites to perform, such as visiting the mosque, 

 saying a number of prayers, kissing the black stone, 

 walking seven times round the Kaaba, drinking of 

 Zemzem water, running between Safa and Meroua, 

 shaving the head, chanting the talhi or pious ejacu- 

 lations, &c. 



When all these solemnities have been gone 

 through, the pilgrims repair in a body to Mount 

 Arafat, a granite rock about two hundred feet high, 

 and six hours* walk eastward from the city. This 

 is the grand day of the pilgrimage; and as the 

 whole surrounding plain is covered with tents, 

 bazaars, camels, splendid equipages, and busy mul- 

 titudes of all descriptions, the sight from the hill is 

 peculiarly inspiring. Here a sermon is preached, 

 which must finish before sunset ; and then the 

 dense crowds hurry off, frequently pressing each 

 other to death, in order to throw stones at the devil 

 in Wadi Muna, in memorial of his having mali- 

 ciously whispered into Ishmael's ear that he was to 

 be slain. This narrow valley is three miles on their 

 way back to Mecca, and abounds with s icred relics ; 

 for here tradition alleges Adam was buried, and 

 here Abraham intended to sacrifice his son,— in 



