'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎88] (135/905)

88
SUFFEEISM. ADAMITES.
[CHAP. IV.
being a portion of the Divine essence. Therefore, they con
sider that whatever appears to the eye is God, and that all
religious rites should be comprised in the contemplation of
God's goodness and greatness. 1
The Suffees, On these various creeds the different branches of Suffeeism
seem to have been founded; one of the most extraordinary
of these sects is the Raushaniyah, the followers of which
believe in the transmigration of souls, and the manifestation
of the divinity in the persons of holy men. They maintain
likewise, that all men who do not join their sect are to be
considered as dead, and that their goods belong, in conse
quence, to the true believers, as the only survivors. 2
Another sect, denominated All Ilahiyah, consider All as
God himself; asserting, by way of proof, that he had several
times killed, and as often restored to life, the only daughter
of a woman, and that he was on that occasion accompanied
by numerous angels. This sect is found in a village near
Kum, but they are very few in number; and they are the
more remarkable by their abstinence from tobacco and snuff,
as well as for the use of wine and distilled liquors,
and Adamites. The most remarkable religion, however, is that of the
Adamites, who are described as meeting, both men and
women, in a cave by night, and the lights being extinguished,
promiscuous, and often incestuous intercourse follows. In
these extraordinary rites may be recognized those which
accompanied the worship of the Mylitta of the Assyrians, the
Alitta of the Arabs, and the Mitra of the Persians.
In addition to the preceding sects, there are likewise in
Iran persons who may be considered as Pagans, and are said
to worship the cow (Gao); and hence Gaor. Some of these
are called Majusi, and others Gaor Yazdi. 3
Division of Throughout the greatest part of the East the same word
eyeai ' equally means astronomy and judicial astrology; and the
earth is still considered to be the centre of our system. The
year is divided into twelve months, which are called by Arabian
1 Ogilby's Asia, p. 11 ; and Elphinstone's Kdbul, p. 207.
s Ibid., p. 201.
8 Ogilby's Asia, p. Tl.