The date[200] deserves the first place. The Prophet's favourite fruits were fresh dates[201] and water-melons; and he ate them both together.[202] "Honour," said he, "your paternal aunt, the date-palm; for she was created of the earth of which Adam was formed."[203] It is said that God hath given this tree as a peculiar favour to the Muslims; that he hath decreed all the date-palms in the world to them, and they have accordingly conquered every country in which these trees are found; and all are said to have derived their origin from the Hejáz.[204] The palm-tree has several well-known properties that render it an emblem of a human being; among which are these; that if the head be cut off, the tree dies; and if a branch be cut off, another does not grow in its place.[205] Dates are preserved in a moist state by being merely pressed together in a basket or skin, and thus prepared are called "'ajweh." There are many varieties of this fruit. The pith or heart of the palm[206] is esteemed for its delicate flavour. The water-melon,[207] from what has been said of it above, ought to be ranked next; and it really merits this distinction. "Whoso eateth," said the Prophet, "a mouthful of water-melon, God writeth for him a thousand good works, and cancelleth a thousand evil works, and raiseth him a thousand degrees; for it came from Paradise;"--and again, "The water-melon is food and drink, acid and alkali, and a support of life," &c.[208] The varieties of this fruit are very numerous. The banana[209] is a delicious fruit. The Prophet pronounced the banana-tree to be the only thing on earth that resembles a thing in Paradise; because it bears fruit both in winter and summer.[210] The pomegranate[211] is another celebrated fruit. Every pomegranate, according to the Prophet, contains a fecundating seed from Paradise.[212] The other most common and esteemed fruits are the following:--the apple, pear, quince, apricot, peach, fig, sycamore-fig, grape, lote, jujube, plum, walnut, almond, hazel-nut, pistachio-nut, orange, Seville-orange, lime and lemon, citron, mulberry, olive, and sugar-cane.[213] Of a selection of these fruits consists the dessert which accompanies the wine; but the table is not complete without a bunch or two of flowers placed in the midst.