1844.] Notice of the Ajaib-al-Mukhlukat. 637 



He represents the moon as being the least of all the luminaries of 

 heaven, and its orbit as being nearest to the earth; its substance, natu- 

 rally dark, receiving light from the sun, (an opinion, according to Plato, 

 anterior to Anaxagoras 500 years before Christ,) in regularly varying 

 phases, according to its distance or proximity. From performing its 

 revolution from West to East round the sun in a shorter time than any 

 other planet, it has been called the Paik-i-falek, L»Jsi*w$w the courier 

 of the sphere, who performs his course in 28 days' journies, or manziles, 

 J».a*o, On the 29th the moon is veiled (JCx***-© mustater,) being 

 below the sun's light, or in conjunction : this sometimes occurs on the 

 28th, when the month is said to be nakis, (joSU deficient. From this 

 time it begins to increase its distance from the sun, and daily to receive 

 more of its light. When it arrives in opposition, the whole of the 

 moon's face nearest the earth becomes illumined, and is termed badr, 

 j&j in contradistinction to halal, JUi> new moon. As it approaches the 

 sun, it receives less of its light. At the conjunction (mukdran, ^X'^) 

 of the sun and moon, the dark side is turned towards the earth, and the 

 light side towards Mercury. 



Eclipses of the Moon. 



The author explains these phenomena by the supposition of the 

 earth's coming between the sun and the full moon, when near its as- 

 cending or descending node ; when the earth's shadow is consequently 

 thrown on the moon. 



Moon's influence on Tides. 



The bi-diurnal ebb and flow of the ocean are ascribed to the moon's 

 revolution round the earth. The flow is at its maximum when the 

 moon arrives opposite the axis of the earth, (i. e. when it comes upon 

 the meridian,) and begins to ebb immediately it has passed this point. 

 The ebb is at its maximum when the moon is in the horizon. 



The bi-monthly rises and falls of the ocean (spring and neap tides,) 

 are said to be owing to the conjunctions and opposition of the sun and 

 moon. 



Moon's influence on Animals and Vegetation. 



During the moon's increase, animals are supposed to be stronger ; the 

 temperament of man, the secretion of juices more active ; beasts more 

 eager in pursuit of prey ; fishes in better condition ; growth of vegetation 



