Trees are to be spared, as also self-growing plants, but it is allowable to cut grass. For each infraction of these ordinances it is incumbent to sacrifice a sheep, as an indication that the offender is worthy of death.

There is a peculiar custom at Mecca, that if a person engages a house he is obliged to pay a full year's rent, even should but a few weeks remain when the house is taken till the expiry of the twelfth month, which ends the Muhammadan year; and not only so, but when this latter period arrives, the occupier has either to leave the house, or become liable for another year's rent; so that not unfrequently a hapless tenant is compelled to pay two years' rent for the use of a house during the term of but a few weeks. On the occasion of the pilgrimage season, houses are generally hired furnished for a few weeks; but the poorer classes live in "free-houses," built by rich and pious votaries for the benefit of such of their fellow-countrymen as cannot afford either to pay rent or to hire rooms; it not unfrequently happens, however, that the purpose of the founder is defeated, owing to the circumstance that the occupier has to pay the manager for the privilege of living rent-free, and the highest bidder is pretty sure to win the day. Some "free-homes" are reserved for the gentle sex. The principal of these houses belong to the Javanese authorities, the rulers of Haidarabad, Bhopal, etc. The welfare of the various peoples who flock to Mecca is further promoted by the presence of agents charged with the duty of protecting the interests of the respective nations to which they belong. There is also a hospital; but the accommo

dation is limited, and in spite of every precaution, the condition of the poor is most miserable. When they get ill, scarce a soul cares to attend to the hapless wretches, who cannot at times procure even that necessity of life, water; weak, sick, ill-fed, and houseless, they drag on a miserable existence in the streets, till death puts an end to troubles, which their fellow-creatures are unable or unwilling to assuage.

According, however, to the testimony of the traveller Doughty, it is doubtful whether as a rule, save amongst the richer part of the community, those who secure houses fare much better. His testimony is as follows:

"The camping ground at Mecca lies too far from the place; the swarm of poor strangers must seek their hired dwelling-chambers in the Holy City, thus many are commonly stowed together in a very narrow room. The most arriving feeble from great journeys, with ill humours increased in their bodies, new and horrible disorders must needs breed among them;-from the Mecca pilgrimage has gone forth many a general pestilence, to the furthest of mankind."

After the toilet is completed, the pilgrim, turning the face in the direction of Mecca, says aloud some Arabic words, which may be rendered, "I vow this Ihram of Hajj and the Umra to Allah Almighty." It is also customary at this stage to recite the "Talbiya"-literally translated, it runs thus:—

"Here I am, O Allah! here am I,

No partner hast Thou, here am I,

Verily praise and beneficence are thine, and the kingdom.
No partner hast Thou, here am I."

PILGRIMS IN THE TEMPLE OF MECCA.

Reproduced by permission from C. Snouck Hurgronje's "Bilder aus Mekka."

Immediately on arrival at Mecca the pilgrim performs the legal ablutions. Entering the Holy City by day and on foot, a visit is at once paid to the sacred mosque, taking care that when the glance first alights upon the "Kaba" (Holy of Holies), the following or some similar words are uttered: "O Allah! increase this Thy house in degree and greatness and honour and awfulness, and increase all those who have honoured it and glorified it, the Hajis and Mutamirs [Umra performers], with degree and greatness and honour and dignity." A visit is next paid to the "Black Stone," which is touched with the right hand, and then reverently kissed; that done, the "Kaba" is encompassed seven times. This latter act, called "Tawaf," is performed, commencing on the right and leaving the Holy of Holies on the left, the circuits being made thrice with a quick step or run, and four times at a slow pace. These processions are supposed to take their origin from the motions of the planets. The votary then repairs to the "Maqam Ibrahim," a hallowed and venerated spot in the temple of Mecca, and utters two prayers, after which steps are retraced to the "Black Stone," which is once again devoutly kissed. It should be stated that the devotions are performed silently by day, and aloud at night.

All visitors do not enter the "Kaba"; indeed, there is a tradition that Muhammad himself, on being questioned as to the reason why he had passed the sacred portal, replied: "I have this day done a thing which I wish I had left undone. I have entered the Holy House, and haply some of my people, pilgrims, may not be able to enter therein, and may turn back