95 
porous, that the water filters through them; but they 
cool it singularly in a few seconds. 
As soon as a distinguished pilgrim arrives at Mecca ? 
they inscribe his name in the book of the chief of the 
Zemzem, who orders one of his servants to furnish 
and to carry water to the house of the pilgrim, which 
is executed with assiduity. The pitchers are marked 
with the name of the person upon the body in black 
wax; and some mystical inscriptions are usually added* 
Besides the pitchers which aire furnished to the pil- 
grims, the water carriers of Zemzem walk continually 
in the temple, to sell and distribute the water. It is also 
common in the evening for them to spread a very great 
number of long narrow mats in the court of the tem- 
ple, and to place before the mats a row of pitchers half 
full of water, which are placed obliquely; so that the 
persons who come to sit upon the mats find each a 
pitcher before them, which is very agreeable in a warm 
country, and draws a large concourse of people to the 
temple before the hour of the prayer of Moagreb, or 
the Setting-sun. It is a period of social union, during 
which they recite prayers, or talk pleasantly in com- 
pany, until that hour approaches. 
The servants of the Zemzem carry the pitchers 
upon their left shoulder, stopped with a species of 
dry grass, which prevents the dust or insects from 
getting to the water, but which does not prevent it 
from flowing, when they wish to pour some out with- 
out unstopping the pitcher. They carry in their right 
hand a small cup, well tinned over, in which they pre- 
sent the water to those who ask for it, and even those 
who do not. 
El Beb-es-selem, or The Door of Health, is an in- 
sulated arch, resembling a triumphal arch, situated 
