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fariqun tree which should be called the sadliaj. (Certain Greek
names bear similarity to the word fariqun, although the Greeks call it Julalan too, and in Hindiya it is called kandbir). This seafarer further narrates: Our servants went ashore and on return, said the place was extremely
pleasant. The captain, having heard this, took with him the baggage he required for excursion, and went ashore. As he went further, he saw a reservoir surrounded by shrubs and an old man was sitting there. He presented the old man with walnuts, almonds, dates, etc. The old man went to his house and brought with him a box made of coir fibre. He took out from the box a ruby stone weighing more than a mithqal and gave it to the captain in return for his gesture. The captain sent one of his men to the ship, and he brought with him several kinds of fruits, clothes, kerchiefs and salt. He gave these things to the old man, who then brought another piece uncut and narrow and weighing six mithqals. When the captain enquired from the old man where he had obtained these things. He clasped his hand and took him towards a desert, and said: 'These stones are brought by the rain floods, but I do not pick them, as I do not need them. I am an honest and God worshipping eremite.' He then made a promise to the captain that he would collect the stones for him so that he may take them whenever he cast anchor upon this place. But we could not meet the man again. This incident shows that the valley was inundated by the flood water coming from the ruby mine. Likewise, in the Book of Storage, which describes incidents about
the Chinese, it has been said that rubies of different colours are washed from the shores of Serandib and are especially to be seen during high tide. Water brings them from hollows, caves, and flooded places. The places to which the ruby stones are brought are guarded by sentries of the king. And, therefore, Bukayr Shami has said: The sword instils fear because of the sharpness of the blade, not
through the beauty of its scabbard. Abu Bakr al-Khwarizmi says: Thou art doubtless from men. Pearls and the unique pearl have their
gestation likewise in the seawater. Thou livest with men like the precious stones and emeralds that lie embedded in mountains. Sometimes, when a precious stone is mined from its site, stones are found clinging to it. These are broken down. In India, among the edible cereals, e.g., rice, lentil, and mash 42 is another cereal called the halt. It is dusty and khaki in colour, and assumes the shape of kamarsanah and julbanah when squeezed by the fingers and made soft. 43 It then becomes lentil-like. People do not eat it as it is large. It is a powerful lithontrip- |
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