he followers of Mohammed,
and the design usually includes a representation of a mosque, or place
of public worship, showing the mihrab, which is the niche in the wall of
the mosque, so located that when the worshipper prostrates himself
before it he will be prostrating himself toward Mecca.[A]

[Footnote A: Some prayer rugs have a representation of the hands of
Mohammed, and on them the suppliant places his own as he throws himself
prostrate. In the corners of some of these rugs pulpits are represented,
and occasionally trees.]

The Mohammedan, if he build a mosque, locates it so that its axis
extends in the direction of Mecca; in such buildings the mihrab is not
necessary, as the natural position of the worshipper places him so that
his face is toward the sacred city. Where Christian buildings, such as
the great Basilica of St. Sophia at Constantinople have been
appropriated for Moslem worship, the niche or mihrab may be located well
toward one corner of the building.

[Illustration: OLD KIRMAN PRAYER RUG

SIZE, 6 x 4.1

_This beautiful and rare rug has an ivory field thickly studded with
small floral designs woven most carefully. The knots are very closely
tied, and the texture is soft and fine as velvet. A cypress tree
occupies the centre of the field, and above its base on either side
appears the head of a bird. Below there are two peacocks, in gorgeous
plumage. The upper parts of the bodies of the peacocks seem actually to
glisten like cloth-of-gold; silk threads appear in the tail feathers. At
the top of the rug rests a bird of brilliant plumage, and on either side
a bird evidently in the act of flying. The border of this fine rug is in
stripes, the widest of a golden hue, with turquoise blue, light green,
and soft reds in delicate tracery. The corner areas are deep and very
minutely woven, corresponding perfectly with the field. Toward the
centre of the corner areas and extending upward, is the mihrab,
proclaiming for what purpose this rug was woven._

OWNED BY MISS BUCKINGHAM, CHICAGO.]

The prayer rug was evidently invented for the purpose of providing the
worshippers with one absolutely clean place on which to offer
prayers. It is not lawful for a Moslem to pray on any place not
perfectly clean, and unless each one has his own special rug he is not
certain that the spot has not been polluted. With regard to the purity
of the place of prayer Mohammedans are especially careful when making
their pilgrima