ds;
and particularly, that Malacca, as the great mart of early trade,
though actually no island, was the Cala of Abu Zeid. Siam, or Cambodia
may have been the kingdom of Komar.--E.

[8] This alludes to the custom of the Arabs, and other orientals, to squat
upon this occasion.--E.

[9] It is presumable, that this was a mere bravado, in the full confidence
that no one would be found sufficiently foolhardy to engage to follow
the example. It is needless to say, that the promise of laughing aloud
could not have been performed; so that any one might have safely
accepted the challenge, conditioning for the full performance of the
vaunt.--E.

[10] Rubies, emeralds, and topazes.--E.

[11] Obviously Canoge, in Bengal.--E.

[12] Buddah, the principal god of an extensive sect, now chiefly confined
to Ceylon, and India beyond the Ganges.--E.

[13] The author makes here an abrupt transition to the eastern coast of
Africa, and calls it the country of the Zinges; congeneric with the
country of Zanguebar, and including Azania, Ajen, and Adel, on the
north; and Inhambane, Sabia, Sofala, Mocaranga, Mozambique, and
Querimba, to the south; all known to, and frequented by the Arabs.--E.

[14] This incredible story may have originated from an ill-told account of
the war bulls of the Caffres, exaggerated into fable, after the usual
manner of the Arabs, always fond of the marvellous.--E.

[15] It is somewhat singular to find this ancient Arabian author mentioning
the first word of the famous _Hiera Picra_, or Holy Powder; a compound
stomachic purge of aloes and spices, probably combined by the ancients
with many other ingredients, as it is by the moderns with rhubarb,
though now only given in tincture or solution with wine or spirits.
The story of Alexander rests only on its own Arabian basis.--E.

[16] Meaning, doubtless, the isles of the Mediterranean.--E.

[17] Referring, obviously, to the Isthmus of Suez.--E.

[18] This does not refer to the coast of Barbary in the Mediterranean, but
must mean the coast of the barbarian Arabs or Bedouins.--E.

[19] This singular expression probably signifies that the inhabitants are
without law or regular government.--E.

[20] This curious account of the origin of ambergris, was revived again
about twenty-five years ago, and published in the Philosophical
Transactions of the Royal Society of Lo