[220] Dar-al-Morabittan in Arabic; literally, abode of those who require being chained, _i. e._ of the raving mad. [221] The ceremony of consecration, performed by the prince of captivity, consisted in his laying his hands on the heads of the candidates. [222] The place where the rolls of the Pentateuch are deposited. It is generally elevated above the seats of the congregation. [223] Gen. x. 12. Ras-al-Ain is the Ressaina of the Romans; it is erroneously identified with Resen. [224] The name is omitted in all editions. [225] This tradition of the burning furnace is mentioned by the Arabian geographers, by whom we are further informed that the ashes still remained. [226] These are also some of the early rabbis concerning whom the Jews possess many legends; the places of burial of others are mentioned further on. [227] Benjamin here alludes to the Birs Nimrud, which is, however, more than four miles from Hillah. _Al-ajurr_ is the Persian word for these bricks. [228] Perhaps the Nachaba of Ptolemy. It is not found in modern maps. [229] This celebrated sepulchre is still a place of pilgrimage to the Jews and Mohammedans in the east. [230] 2 Kings, xxv. 27. Jerem. lii. 31. [231] Celebrated on the first and tenth of Thishri (about the end of September or the beginning of October). [232] 2 Kings, xxiv. 17. [233] The sites of Ain Japhata, and the other places mentioned here, have not yet been traced by modern travellers. Colonel Shiel ('Journal of the Geog. Soc.,' vol. viii. p. 93) found a tomb near Elkoth, east of the Tigris, at the foot of the mountains which border Kurdistan, which the natives described as that of Nahum. [234] Fasting being prohibited on these days by the Talmud. This proves Niebuhr's supposition, that they were Talmudists, to be correct. [235] The name of a city appears to be omitted here. [236] Waset is the ancient Cybate. The Hebrew text reads Naset, which Mr. Asher has rightly corrected. [237] The name of a city is omitted here; no doubt Kornah, on the Samarra, or ancient Delos. The sepulchre of Ezra is described by various modern travellers; it is still an object of pilgrimage to the Jews of the east. [238] The exact site of Shushan (Susa) is a subject of some doubt among modern geographers. The old Arabian writers give a variety of legends relating to Daniel's tomb. [239] Sanjar was a very celebrated and powerful prince. He conquered Samarkand in 1140, and died in 1157, shortly before Benjamin visited the east. [240] Benjamin's account of the Assassins, and their residence at Mulehet, coincides very closely with that given by Marco Polo. It has been supposed that the sect of the Assassins originated in this district of Persia.