r 423 t 
17. For ITS the Carthaginians wrote j-ft, with- 
out yod, as we learn from the Punic infcription ex- 
plained in (67) a former paper. And that the Phoe- 
nicians wrote this word in the fame manner, confi- 
dering their frequent omiffion of Jod, I fee not the 
lead reafon to doubt. The Ethiopians in this term 
mod: certainly never made ufe of that element. In 
our infcription it is to be therefore confidered as equi- 
valent to DOM VS, GENS, FAMILIA, &C. in which 
fignification it not feldom occurs j fometimes being 
applied to a whole family, and at other times to a 
part of a family only, in the (68) facred writings of 
the Old Tedament. The three lad; words of the 
infcription, -]StTDy p DNTl, tami filii abdeme- 
leci, are fo intirely clear of all difficulties, and fo 
obvious to every one in the lead acquainted with an- 
tient hidory, and oriental literature, that it would 
be fuperduous to expatiate upon them here. 
It may, however, not be improper to remark, that 
the ufe of the proper name abd’almalec, the 
fame with abdemelec, was retained by the Arabs 
long after the fird appearance of our infcription. For 
the Khalif Abd’almalec, who fucceeded Merwan I. 
above half a century after the death of Mohammed, 
departed this life (69) in the year of the Hejra 86, 
or of Christ 705. Nay, ’tis more than probable, 
that the fame name prevails amongd the Arabs even 
at this day. 
(67) Pbilof. Tranf Vol. LIII. p.,275, 276. 
(68) Reckenberg. ubi fup. p. 130. 
( 69 ) A1 Makin, Greg. Abu’l Faraj, Eutycb. Ifm. Abu’lfed. 
Etm A1 Athir, aliicjue fcriptor. Arab. 
x8. If 
