204

As described on the following pages.

205

The earlier text had ladayhimd "in (civilization and the dynasties)."

206

Sakk. Cf. p. 4 (n. 499), above.

207

This seems to be a general reference to the historical surveys of the individual sciences that follow. Cf. also 3:115, below.

208

Paper came into use more widely at the time of the Barmecides, in the early ninth century. However, ascribing the official introduction of paper into government offices to the Barmecides may be part of the legend woven around them. Cf. A. Mez, Die Renaissance des Isldms, p. 440, and, more recently, N. Abbott in Journal of Near Eastern Studies, VIII (1949), 147.

209

Cf. also pp. 449 f., below.

210

Cf. Bonh aci, p. 455.

211

Aslihi seems to be the reading of B and D; C is indistinct. Bulaq, A, and Paris read ahlihi "and the desert attitude of its inhabitants."

212

Qur'an 12.21 (21).

213

Cf. p. 431, below.