298 RESIDENCE OF JINN. 



reptiles; and on removing a little of the soil, perhaps 

 I* should unearth an old one as large as a crown- 

 piece, semi-transparent, of a dirty, mottled yellow 

 colour, with about ten or a dozen young ones, like 

 so many huge spiders, running about in all direc- 

 tions, as if fully aware of their situation, and that 

 no endeavours would be spared to destroy the whole 

 family party. 



As it is useful to observe coincidental ideas upon 

 subjects somewhat related, which are entertained by 

 very different and distinct nations, I may be allowed 

 to remark the resemblance between the remedy on 

 this occasion, and which was quite sufficient for 

 the cure, and that which is adopted by the lower 

 orders in Scotland at the present time, to counteract 

 the effects of the bite of a viper. It is usual among 

 them to kill and flay the reptile, and the moist 

 inner surface of the skin is then well rubbed over 

 the wound, as were the separated portions of the 

 scorpion in my case by the Dankalli. 



The pain in my hand not subsiding immediately, 

 I thought it prudent to retreat into my hut, 

 bidding Zaido to bring my gun, hammer, nails, &c. 

 Ohmed Medina came to amuse me, and told some 

 long tales of the numerous Jinn that haunted the 

 country, which, however, must be understood to 

 mean the volcanic phenomena, which are con- 

 tinually altering the surface level of the country of 

 Adal. A very famous residence of a large com- 

 munity of these Jinn, Ohmed Medina stated to be 



