THE MOHAMMEDAN PILGRIMAGE. 241 



plaint. There are no restrictions now as to parti- 

 cular diet ; but the mohrem, as the vested pilgrim 

 is called, is enjoined to behave decently, not to curse 

 or quarrel, nor to kill any animal, not even the ver- 

 min that may infest his own person ; although, ac- 

 cording to Pitts, " if they cannot well be endured 

 any longer, it is lawful to remove them from one 

 part of the body to another." The laxity of modern 

 times occasionally dispenses altogether with the ce- 

 remony of the maharmo, especially among the ser- 

 vants and camel-drivers. 



All the caravans as they arrive pass through the 

 town in procession, accompanied by their guards 

 of soldiers, with martial music. The equipage of 

 the emirs is very splendid. They are mounted in 

 palanquins or taktrouans, a kind of closed litter or 

 cage, carried by two camels, one before and the 

 other behind. The heads of the camels are decorat- 

 ed with feathers, tassels, and bells ; the streets are 

 lined with people, who as they move along greet 

 them with loud acclamations. 



On entering Mecca, the first duty of the pilgrim 

 is to visit the mosque immediately; and this in- 

 junction applies to all strangers whatever. The 

 prescribed ceremonies are, first to repeat certain 

 prayers in different parts of the Temple; namely, at 

 the entrance under the colonnade, two rikats and four 

 prostrations are addressed to the Deity in thank- 

 fulness for having reached the holy spot, and in 

 salutation of the mosque itself: then, advancing 

 into the court, certain ejaculations are uttered while 

 passing under the insulated arch in front of the 

 Kaaba, and two rikats are pronounced opposite the 

 black stone ; at the conclusion of which it is touched 



