The work here presented is one of an enormous number of minor compilations on an infinite variety of subjects, made by the famous Arab polyhistorian ABU AL-FADL 'ABD AL-RAHMAN IBN ABI BAKR IBN MUHAMMAD IBN ABI BAKR, known as JALAL AL-DIN AL-SUYf4TI, or for short JALAL AL-SUYUTI, who lived from 849/1445 to 911/1505. For a short biography of him and a list of his works see BROCKELMANN'S Geschichte der arabischen Literatur, II, PP. 143-158; Supplement, II, pp. 178-I98. The present work is found on p. 157, and p. I96 of Suppt., under the number 283. Although BROCKELMANN, in common with other bibliographical sources, lists it as an independent work and the text itself gives no indication to the contrary, the treatise is really an enlarged redaction of the corresponding chapter in one of AL-SUYUYT1'S major works, his history of Egypt entitled Kitab IHusn al-muhadara Jt akhbar Misr wal-Qahira. Like most Arabic works on matters of antiquity, the treatise is predominantly composed of extracts