THE r-ALMS OF EUHOPE AND AFRICA. 45 



than a mulberry ; it has its name trora its 

 extraordinary sweetness, in which it equals the 

 finest figs from Smyrna ; and, like them, when 

 dried, is covered Avith a saccharine crust. This 

 was the date with which Mohammed is alleged 

 to have performed a very great miracle, by- 

 planting a kernel in the earth, Avhich instantly 

 took root, grew up and in five minutes, became 

 a full grown tree loaded with fruit. Another 

 miracle is related of the kind called " El 

 syhani" which hailed the prophet as he passed 

 under it with a loud " Salaam aleikoom." The 

 hirni is esteemed the most wholesome and the 

 easiest of digestion, Mohammed, with whom 

 it was a favourite, recommended the Arabs to 

 eat seven of them every morning before break- 

 fast. They are in great request with the hajjis, 

 (or pilgrims,) who always carry some of them 

 home as presents to their friends. They are 

 bouf^ht in small boxes holding al)Out one hun- 

 dred. One variety of the Medina date remains 

 perfectly green even when ripe and dried ; 

 another retains a bright saffron colour. These 

 are threaded on strings and Avorn as ornaments 

 by children, or sold under the name of Kakujd 

 es Sham — Necklaces of the North. In Avady 

 Feiran, Burckhardt mentions the jamya as the 

 best kind, of Avliich the monks of Sinai send 



