This is that wonderful bird of the East, concerning which so many marvels are told: it was not only endowed with reason, but possessed also the knowledge of every language. Hence it may be concluded to have been a dive in a borrowed form. This creature relates of itself that it had seen the great revolution of seven thousand years twelve times commence and close; and that, in its duration, the world had been seven times void of inhabitants, and as often replenished. The Simurgh is represented as a great friend to the race of Adam, and not less inimical to the dives. Tahamurath and Aherman were apprised by its predictions of all that was destined to befall them, and from it they obtained the promise of assistance in every undertaking. Armed with the buckler of Gian Ben Gian, Tahamurath was borne by it through the air, over the dark desert, to Kaf. From its bosom his helmet was crested with plumes, which the most renowned warriors have ever since worn. In every conflict the Simurgh was invulnerable, and the heroes it favoured never failed of success. Though possessed of power sufficient to exterminate its foes, yet the exertion of that power was supposed to be forbidden. Sadi, a serious author, gives it as an instance of the universality of Providence, that the Simurgh, notwithstanding its immense bulk, is at no loss for sustenance on the mountain of Kaf. Inatulla hath described Getiafrose, queen of the Genii, as seated on a golden chariot, drawn by ten simurghs; whose wings extended wide as the earth-shading bir, and whose talons resembled the proboscis of mighty elephants: but it does not appear from any other writer, that there ever was more than _one_, which is frequently called the _marvellous gryphon_, and said to be like that imaginary monster.--D’HERBELOT, p. 1017, 810, etc. _Tales of Inatulla_, vol. ii, pp. 71, 72. As the _magic shield of Atlante_ resembles the _buckler of Gian Ben Gian_, so _his Ippogrif_ apparently came from the _Simurgh_, notwithstanding the reference of Ariosto to the veridical Archbishop: “Non ho veduto mai, nè letto altrove, Fuor che in Turpin, d’un si fatto animale.” PAGE 229. _... palampores, etc._ These elegant productions, which abound in all parts of the East, were of very remote antiquity. Not only are σινδονας ΕΥΑΝΘΕΙΣ, _finely flowered linens_, noticed by Strabo; but Herodotus relates, that the nations of Caucasus _adorned_ their _garments_ with _figures of various creatures_, by means of the sap of certain vegetables; which, when macerated and diluted with water, communicate colours that cannot be washed out, and are no less permanent than the texture itself.--STRABO, l. xv, p. 709. HERODOTUS, l. i, p. 96. The Arabian Tales repeatedly describe these “_fine linens of India, painted in the most lively colours_, and representing _beasts_, _trees_, _flowers_, etc.”--_Arabian Nights_, vol. iv, p. 217, etc. PAGE 229. _... afrits_