. Discovery. Science. DISCOVERY widow held two handkerchiefs knotted together, one in each hand, and with these she alternately wiped the tears from her cheeks and patted the grave. Meanwhile, in another part of the cemetery, a Coptic priest was going from grave to grave, censing both the mourners and the tombs, in return for which service he was sometimes presented with additional incense or with a certain amount of grain. Grain thus collected is generally distributed afterwards to the poor. \\'ater-carriers were busy plying their trade, or occasionally offering a free drink in the name of a
. Discovery. Science. DISCOVERY widow held two handkerchiefs knotted together, one in each hand, and with these she alternately wiped the tears from her cheeks and patted the grave. Meanwhile, in another part of the cemetery, a Coptic priest was going from grave to grave, censing both the mourners and the tombs, in return for which service he was sometimes presented with additional incense or with a certain amount of grain. Grain thus collected is generally distributed afterwards to the poor. \\'ater-carriers were busy plying their trade, or occasionally offering a free drink in the name of a dead relation. A sweet-seller was also adver- tising her wares by means of a tin rattle, similar to those bought as children's toys, fixed on to the top of a long stick round which was twisted a thick sugary substance. Close to the cemetery a market was in full swing, where, besides various foods set out fcr sale, rattles and other toys as well as small tin cups could be bought for the children. The cups were hung round with small heart-shaped pieces of tin, which jingled against the sides. Such cups are bought and presented to the children by their parents in memory of this day's ceremony. On another part of the ground a professional poet was entertaining a large crowd. On seeing me, and on my presenting him with a small sum of money, he started reciting a poem in my honour, of which the only words to be distinguished were those with which he wound up the oration—" God will that you return ; He very cleverly twirled on one of his fingers a drum, resembling in shape the nadam used by the wailing women, and in it he collected money from the bystanders (Fig. on cover). His attendant was provided with a similar instrument on which he beat an accompaniment to the poet's recitations. Gifts of bread, sometimes in the form of flat loaves, sometimes in rings, as well as dates, sweets, etc., are often given to the poor at this festival in the name of a dead relation.
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