402 
NOTES. 
Rags on Bushes , p. 230.] — This superstition was noticed in Persia by one of the earliest 
travellers, Josaphat Barbaro, 1474, fol. 45, and was explained by him on the principle 
that (such was the scarcity of wood in the country) even a bush was a miracle. M. I. 
Change of Names , p. 230.]—The renaming of Siiah Seffi, who then became Shah 
Soleyman, is related fully by Chardin and Tavernier ; and in its ceremonies is not 
perhaps easily paralleled; but in its essential circumstance, a change of name from a 
belief in the unluckiness of the first, it may be supported by an example in our own 
history: when John of Scotland took the name of Robert III. (see Henry’s History, 
vol. viii. 372, from Fordun ;) because the Prince, who had borne the former appellation, 
had been unfortunate in the annals of the country. In the family of Catherine de Me- 
bicis ; Edward-Alexander became Henry 111: Hercules became Charles IX. &c. 
See a note in the Life of Cary, Earl of Monmouth, p. 39. The Jews thus changed their 
names. 
Herrings , p. 231.]—The herrings of the Caspian are described by P. H. Bruce. 
Memoirs, p. 261. Tooke speaks of (i a fish resembling a herring.” Catherine, II. 
vol. ii. p. 56. 
Coals , p. 231.— Marco Polo speaks of a combustible stone found in China; which is 
obviously coal. Ebn Haukal mentions in Ferghaneh, “ a stone that takes fire and 
6( burns,” p. 250; compare however, p. 272, which seems to imply a more distinct know- 
ledge of coal. 
Demawend , p. 231.]—The distance to which according to the text, it is visible is paral-. 
leled by that at which Sir Wm. Jones observed the Chumalury mountains from Bhaugal- 
pore. This distance is stated by him at two hundred and forty-four miles: but he adds, 
that the object might be seen much further. (Note in Lord Teignmouth’s Life of Sir 
Wm. Jones, p. 253.) Another account gives the first distance from Bhaugalpore at two 
hundred and fifty miles. P. H. Bruce, (Memoirs, 282) saw Ararat from Derbend at a 
distance of at least two hundred and ten geographical miles, equal to more than two 
hundred and forty British measure, in a straight line by the compasses on Major Ren- 
nell’s map. Ebn Haukal mentions that Demawend may be seen fifty farsang round, 
(perhaps one hundred and seventy-five miles.) He adds, “ 1 have not heard that any man 
u ever ascended to its summit;” p. 172. Herbert indeed relates his ascent (Travels), 
but Olivier can describe only an ineffectual endeavour. Tom, v. p. 125, &c. The 
difficulties which he encountered, seem to rival those of Tournefort in the attempt to 
scale Ararat. Tom. ii, 357, &c. The fable of a plant which tinges the teeth of sheep 
with gold, is not confined to Demawend: it is attached to their favourite mountains by 
different nations, and may thus be traced to Mount Lebanon; to Mount Elewnd , &c. 
and the plant, which is convertible into gold, is found, if an alchemist may be believed, in 
