472 Pomona College Journal of Economic Botany 



fresh or packed in skins. Makkawi ashqar (sorrel) is probably only a sub- 

 variety of the same, ripens a little earlier, and does not keep. 



MalquH, a variety reported from Hilleh, of which I could get no par- 

 ticulars. The name means "that which is picked up off the ground after it 

 has fallen." 



M'awa, "Like an Intestine," a long, yellow, Baghdad variety, possibly a 

 dry date, but is usually eaten when soft. Ripens early in September and is 

 a favorite with the people because of the honey-like character of its Hesh. 

 Has been famous for centuries ; its name is a classic. 



Miilaffaf, "The Twisted," a small yellow dry date of Baghdad, re- 

 markable for the spiral wrinkles of the skin, which make it look as if it had 

 been twisted. Very rare. Platen either fresh or dry. 



NahaUi, named after a man or a town, a good but not common Busreh 

 variety which seems to be on the border line between soft and dry dates. 

 Ripens about October first. Good when fresh ; must be dried in sun with care, 

 if it is cured at all, and even then does not keep well. Shy bearer and 

 requires more time to come into bearing than do most offshoots. 



Form broadly oblong, obliquely flattened at base and broadly pointed at 

 apex; size large, length one and one-half to one and three-quarters inches, 

 breadth seven-eighths to one inch. Surface somewhat rough, glossy, trans- 

 lucent deep golden brown in color, bloom almost none. Skin medium thick 

 but not tough, only slightly wrinkled but abundantly folded longitudinally 

 and separating from flesh, which is firm, sometimes almost granular, thick, 

 reddish amber close to skin, changing to light amber close to seed, not very 

 tran.slucent. Seed slender oblong-elliptical, pointed at both ends, one inch 

 long, one-fourth wide, smooth, gray brown, ventral channel narrow. Flavor 

 sweet, much resembling some of the good dry dates. 



\irsi, from the village of Nirs (?*), a good soft date grown in various 

 districts on the river but apparently not at either Baghdad or Busreh. Ripens 

 in the latter part of September ; keeps well. 



Form oblong, slightly wider toward basal end, rounded or slightly flat- 

 tened at base, rounded to broadly pointed at apex. Size medium, length one 

 and one-fourth to one and one-half inches, breadth five-eighths to three- 

 quarters inch. Surface irregular, glos.sy, translucent light brown varying to 

 orange brown ; bloom unnoticeable. Skin thin, firm, tender, loosely wrinkled 

 but adhering rather closely. Flesh firm, of caramel consistency, full of syrup, 

 translucent, deep reddish amber in color, one-fourth inch thick, slight amount 

 of fibre in seed cavity. Seed oblong-elliptical tapering very .slightly toward 

 both ends, length thirteen-sixteenths inch, breadth one-quarter, .slightly 

 roughened, grayish brown, ventral channel very shallow. Flavor rich, some- 

 what like that of Khadhrawi. 



* Al Hamdanf mentions a variety "Nirsidn," from the same root. 



