[7] It is difficult to say anything certain of the countries to which this
    story relates; which may have been some of the islands now called
    Philipines, or perhaps some of the islands in the straits of Sunda. 
    —­Harris.

Such is the opinion of the editor of Harris’s Collection.  But I am disposed, especially from the rivers mentioned, to consider Zapage as Pegu; and that Malacca, Sumatra, and Java, were the dependent islands; and particularly, that Malacca, as the great mart of early trade, though actually no island, was the Cala of Abu Zeid.  Siam, or Cambodia may have been the kingdom of Komar.—­E.

[8] This alludes to the custom of the Arabs, and other orientals, to squat
    upon this occasion.—­E.

[9] It is presumable, that this was a mere bravado, in the full confidence
    that no one would be found sufficiently foolhardy to engage to follow
    the example.  It is needless to say, that the promise of laughing aloud
    could not have been performed; so that any one might have safely
    accepted the challenge, conditioning for the full performance of the
    vaunt.—­E.

[10] Rubies, emeralds, and topazes.—­E.

[11] Obviously Canoge, in Bengal.—­E.

[12] Buddah, the principal god of an extensive sect, now chiefly confined
    to Ceylon, and India beyond the Ganges.—­E.

[13] The author makes here an abrupt transition to the eastern coast of
    Africa, and calls it the country of the Zinges; congeneric with the
    country of Zanguebar, and including Azania, Ajen, and Adel, on the
    north; and Inhambane, Sabia, Sofala, Mocaranga, Mozambique, and
    Querimba, to the south; all known to, and frequented by the Arabs.—­E.

[14] This incredible story may have originated from an ill-told account of
    the war bulls of the Caffres, exaggerated into fable, after the usual
    manner of the Arabs, always fond of the marvellous.—­E.

[15] It is somewhat singular to find this ancient Arabian author mentioning
    the first word of the famous Hiera Picra, or Holy Powder; a compound
    stomachic purge of aloes and spices, probably combined by the ancients
    with many other ingredients, as it is by the moderns with rhubarb,
    though now only given in tincture or solution with wine or spirits. 
    The story of Alexander rests only on its own Arabian basis.—­E.

[16] Meaning, doubtless, the isles of the Mediterranean.—­E.

[17] Referring, obviously, to the Isthmus of Suez.—­E.

[18] This does not refer to the coast of Barbary in the Mediterranean, but
    must mean the coast of the barbarian Arabs or Bedouins.—­E.

[19] This singular expression probably signifies that the inhabitants are
    without law or regular government.—­E.