146 
note to this article by the editor of Harris's Dictionary, 
fully explains the meaning—" karpasus occurs in the 
Periplus of Arrian, and is rendered by Dr. Vincent fine 
muslin. It is derived from the Sanscrit karpasi; from 
which probably the Hebrew word is also derived.'" " Simi- 
larity of name," Dr. Vincent has elsewhere said, " is a 
corroborating circumstance, when we are sure of our 
position ; but till the position be ascertained, it is only a 
presumptive proof, and often fallacious." 
Having indicated the several routes of ancient commerce, 
as well as the substances which it embraced, we may conclude 
the subject with a few words respecting the places whence 
these several articles were brought into Egypt and Palestine. 
The only ones specifically mentioned are, Ophir and 
Tharshish. Both of these, according to Heeren, indicate 
the rich countries of the south, such as the east coast of 
Africa, and Ceylon with the Peninsula of India, rather 
than any particular places ; though the ships are described 
as returning every three years. This has been interpreted 
as meaning every third year ; the voyage therefore may not 
have occupied so much as two years of time ; and this is 
not more than would be necessary in the infancy, and 
during the practice, of coasting navigation ; in addition to 
the time consumed in the dilatory modes of parting with 
the old, and taking in a new cargo, as well as that often 
required by the necessity of waiting for the monsoons. 
with calico, usually in stripes of different colours, and padded with cotton, 
called purdahs, are employed throughout India, as a substitute for doors. 
They may be seen used for the very purposes mentioned in the text, 
in the court of the King of Delhi's palace, where on a paved mosaic terrace, 
rows of slender pillars, support a light roof, from which hang by rings 
immense padded and striped curtains, rolled up or removable at pleasure. 
These either increase light or ventilation, and form, in fact,a kind of moveable 
wall to the structure, which is used as one of the halls of audience, and was 
probably introduced by the Persian conquerors of India, and therefore explains 
the object of the colonnade in front of the palace in the ruins of Persepolis. 
