59 
the guide at our head, we performed the first tour round 
the Kaaba, reciting prayers at the same time. 
The Kaaba is a quadrilateral tower, entirely covered 
with an immense black cloth, except the base. The 
black stone is discovered through an opening in the 
cloth. It is encrusted on the eastern angle. A similar 
opening to the former at the southern angle discovers 
a part of it, which is of common marble. On the north- 
west side rises a parapet about a leaning height, form- 
ing nearly a semicircle, separated from the building, 
called El Hajar Ismail, or the Stones of Ismael. 
The following is a detail of the ulterior ceremonies 
which are observed in this religious act, such as I per- 
formed them myself at this period. 
The pilgrims go seven times round the Kaaba, 
beginning at the black stone, or the eastern angle, and 
passing the principal front, in which is the door; from 
whence turning to the west and south, outside of the 
stones of Ismael. Being arrived at the southern angle, 
they stretch out the right arm; when, having touched 
the angular marble with the hand, taking great care 
that the lower part of their garment does not touch 
the uncovered base, they pass it over the face and 
beard, saying, " In the name of God, the greatest God, 
praises be to God;" and they continue to walk towards 
the north east, saying, " Oh great God! be with me! 
Give me the good things of this world, and those of 
the next." Being returned to the eastern angle, they 
raise their hands as at the beginning of the canonical 
prayer, and cry, "In the name of God, the greatest 
God." They afterwards say, with their hands down, 
41 Praises be to God;" and kiss the black stone. Thus 
terminates the first tour. 
The second is like the first, except that the prayers 
