176 HADJ AT MECCA. 



from whom they declare themselves to be de- 

 scended. They commemorate the day by 

 the sacrifice of animals according to their 

 means ; the more wealthy sacrifice a camel, those 

 in humbler circmiistances a goat or a kid. 

 This answers the double purpose of honouring 

 the memory of the patriarchs, their progenitors, 

 and also of affording their families a good meal. 

 The Mahomedans believe that the entrance to 

 Paradise is only accessible by a bridge of 

 scythes, or other sharp instruments, called nl 

 semuf, and imagine that their safe passage will 

 depend on the number of animals that they 

 have sacrificed at this festival. On the day of 

 Buckreed the pilgrims, or /iad(/i, annually per- 

 forui the hadj at Mecca. 



