1 844. ] Notice of the Ajaib-al- Mukhlukat. 665 



compiled every year as the Nautical or Moore's. Of a Takwim, *j*j& or 

 almanac for the present year 1 844, I have given a short account to the 

 Royal Asiatic Society. It was compiled by a learned native of Alpoor 

 on the Tumbuddra, in the Nizam's territory, a few miles from Kurnool. 

 Mars is stated to rule over the warlike destinies of the year, and 

 hitherto has not belied the faith placed in his fiery influence. 



Many of the Mussulman inhabitants of this place never undertake a 

 journey or marriage, until the stars indicate a fortunate moment ; for 

 which they consult their tables. Most of them have their nativities re- 

 gularly calculated, and even in the naming of a child they often give him 

 a name commencing with the initial letter of the planet which presides 

 over the particular day or hour of the day in which the child is born ; 

 for instance, if a child happen to be born on Tuesday, they give him 

 some name commencing with M, such as Mahomed, Murad, Mahsum, 

 &c. since Marrikh or Mars, rules over that day, or at least the first 

 hour of the day after sunrise. 



Genii and Devils. 



Genii are supposed to be formed from the flame of fire, angels from 

 the light, and devils from the smoke. Genii differ from angels because 

 they procreate, eat, drink, and are mortal : but devils do not die until 

 the end of the world. The genii are said to have inhabited the world 

 before Adam, and to have been expelled and imprisoned on account of 

 their rebellious conduct. Some are good, some evil, some infidels, others 

 believers : their bodies are transparent.* 



In the descriptions of the quadrupeds, &c. with which the work 

 closes, an account of the Gour, the elephant ; rhinoceros, tapir ; the 

 Sanad, ^ljU> an animal resembling the elephant, but smaller ; a spe- 

 cies of black tiger ; the simurgh, or phoenix, of which a strange-looking 

 painting is given ; hoopoe ; ostrich ; dragon, &c. 



* The race of genii is occasionally alluded to in the Koran. According to the Magi 

 of Persia, one of the genii presides over each day and month of the year, and the be- 

 lief is, their existence was prior to Mahomedanism. Jan and Marija are said to be the 

 parents of this race. They are supposed to have the power of rendering themselves 

 visible or invisible at pleasure. Malek Gatshan is their king, and is enthroned on 

 mount Caucasus. Some evil genii are still supposed to groan in prison for wickedness 

 against the Almighty, committed at the instigation of Iblis ; the remainder dwell 

 in the lowest firmament at the poles, the confines of the earth, mount Caucasus, and a 

 few in paradise# 



