p. 190.—_Ornamented with the most beautiful porcelain._—“The Ficus Indica is called the Pagod Tree and Tree of Councils; the first, from the idols placed under its shade; the second, because meetings were held under its cool branches. In some places it is believed to be the haunt of spectres, as the ancient spreading oaks of Wales have been of fairies; in others are erected beneath the shade pillars of stone, or posts, elegantly carved, and ornamented with the most beautiful porcelain to supply the use of mirrors.”—_Pennant._ Footnote 238: p. 192.—_And o’er the Green Sea palely shines._ The Persian Gulf—“To dive for pearls in the Green Sea, or Persian Gulf.”—_Sir W. Jones._ Footnote 239: p. 192.—_Revealing_ BAHREIN’S _groves of palm, And lighting_ KISHMA’S _amber vines._ Islands in the Gulf. Footnote 240: p. 192.—_Blow round_ SELAMA’S _sainted cape._ Or Selemeh, the genuine name of the headland at the entrance of the Gulf, commonly called Cape Musseldom. “The Indians, when they pass the promontory, throw cocoa-nuts, fruits, or flowers, into the sea, to secure a propitious voyage.”—_Morier._ Footnote 241: p. 193.—_The nightingale now bends her flight._ “The nightingale sings from the pomegranate groves in the day-time, and from the loftiest trees at night.”—_Russel_’s Aleppo. Footnote 242: p. 193.—_The best and brightest scimitar._ In speaking of the climate of Shiraz, Francklin says, “The dew is of such a pure nature, that if the brightest scimitar should be exposed to it all night, it would not receive the least rust.” Footnote 243: p. 194.—_Who, on_ CADESSIA’S _bloody plains._ The place where the Persians were finally defeated by the Arabs, and their ancient monarchy destroyed. Footnote 244: p. 194.—_Beyond the Caspian’s Iron Gates._ Derbend.—“Les Turcs appellent cette ville Demir Capi, Porte de Fer; ce sont les Caspiæ Portæ des anciens.”—_D’Herbelot._ Footnote 245: p. 195.—_They burst, like Zeilan’s giant palm._ The Talpot or Talipot-tree. “This beautiful palm-tree, which grows in the heart of the forests, may be classed among the loftiest trees, and becomes still higher when on the point of bursting forth from its leafy summit. The sheath which then envelopes the flower is very large, and, when it bursts, makes an explosion like the report of a cannon.”—_Thunberg._ Footnote 246: p. 196.—_Before whose sabre’s dazzling light._ “When the bright cimitars make the eyes of our heroes wink.”—_The Moallakat, Poem of Amru._ Footnote 247: p. 198.—_Sprung from those old, enchanted kings._ Tahmuras, and other ancient kings of Persia; whose adventures in Fairy-land among the Peris and Dives may be found in Richardson’s curious Dissertation. The griffin Simoorgh, they say, took some feathers from her breast for Tahmuras, with which he adorned his helmet, and transmitted them afterwards to his descendants. Footnote 248: