Anecdota Oxoniensia. Semitic series.

APPENDIX. 317
Munsha'at ash-Shaikh (new building of the Shaikh), because the Shaikh Abi
Bakr a-h-Shldali laid the foundation of it; and he also laid out a large garden, on
the site of which he had found a well, containing a treasure. An eye-witness
told me that, among the gold, four-cornered dinars were found, having a cross
represented on one of their sides, and the weight of each dinar was s mithkal.
The above-mentioned Monasteries of Udrunkah stand near to one another, and
between them are numerous caves in which there are tablets painted with characters
in the old style, as in the ancient temples, adorned with different bright colours,
and containing manifold learning. The Monastery of the Seven Mountains, that of
Al-Mutill, and that of the Scribe stood outside Suyfit among the caves, and on
both tlhe dams there are said to have been 360 monasteries, and the traveller
went from Al-Badrashain to Asffn, continually in the shade of the gardens.
Now this part is laid waste, and deserted by its inhabitants.
54. Mlonaslte, of Mlushah. Mlfshah stands to the south of Suyflt. The
monastery is dedicated to Thomas, the Apostle of India, and stands among the
gardens in the neighbourhood of Rifah. When the Nile rises, it can only be
reached by boat. It has several festivals. The Christians of these monasteries
generally understand the Sahidic dialect of Coptic, which is the chief branch
of the Coptic languagc; after it follows the Buhairic (iMemphitic) dialect. The
Christian wolmen of Upper Elgypt and their children can hardly speak anything
but the Salidic dialect of Coptic; they have, however, also a perfect knowledge
of the Greek language.
55. Meonaslery of iSazin lacroblius. Albf MakIafifah is the name of the place
where this monastery stands. It is hewn out at the foot of the mountain, and
there are many caves in it; it bears the name of the Virgin. Among the
Christians of MTakrufah there are many shepherds and herdsmen, who however
are usually savages, and few among them can read or write. The monastery
lacks water.
5(;. Monasleey of Ba Bzagrhrm, before Tima, the inhabitants of which are
Christians, and were formerly learned men.
57. lThe lfonasl ry of Sainl Siilutlies, also called the White Monastery, stands
to the west of the district of SQlhj. It is built of stone, but is now in ruins, and
only the church remains. It is said to have possessed land to the extent of 41
feddans, of wlich only one feddan is left. It is an ancient monastery.
58. he] Red MIonaslery, also called tllat of Abu Bishl'i, stands to the north
of the te it Monastery, at a distance of about three hours, and is a small
monastery built of red brick. This Abf Bisha'i was a monk and contemporary