DATE VARIETIES 227 



Oman variety which apparently has no relation 

 to the classical Birni* of Arabia and North Africa 

 despite the similarity in name. It is a dry date 

 similar to Naghal and of unique appearance. Fruit 

 one and eleven-sixteenths inch long, eleven-six- 

 teenths inch wide, basal half of almost uniform 

 width, tapering thence to blunt, flattened, sometimes 

 depressed apex. Basal half a dead, yellowish gray, 

 apical end light chestnut brown, the division of colors 

 being distinct. Seed cavity large, and large seed 

 loose in it, with considerable fibre. Flesh thin but 

 more tender than that of the ordinary dry date; 

 keeps indefinitely. Seed one inch long, one-quarter 

 inch wide, usually some fibre adhering to it. Date 

 requires chewing and has a rich, full, but not cloying 

 flavor, with slight trace of bitterness. It is often sold 

 on strings, like necklaces, in the Masqat market, at 

 the rate of thirty for a cent. Ripens midseason, 

 bears moderately. Not a common variety in Samail. 

 Cannot be considered of top-notch quality, but on 

 account of its great size and double coloring it is 

 decidedly interesting. 



Burshi, The Curved Dagger (Hind.), a small, 

 fat, yellow, dry date of Oman, doubtless curved, as 

 its name suggests. It is a common variety, valued 

 because it ripens about June 1. Yield said to be of 

 moderate amount. Has not yet borne in America. 



nik, good; or bir, crop and ni, heavy, etc. Consult Pere Anastase, 

 loc. cit. His opinion that this was originally the same as Brim has 

 been mentioned, and Fairchild (B. P. I. Bui. No. 54, p. 23) evidently 

 saw Brim, not Burni of Masqat, which is markedly different. The 

 varieties Brim and Burni are too confused to be separated without 

 an exhaustive investigation. 



*Highly prized by Arabs because Muhammad said, "It causeth 

 sickness to depart, and there is no sickness in it." Still used as a diet 

 in smallpox. 



