Arab Mode of Grinding Corn.

THE wandering Arabs have no other means of grinding their corn than by hand-mills, which they carry with them wherever they go. They are always worked by the women (Matt. 24:4141Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matthew 24:41); Rev. 18:2222And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; (Revelation 18:22)), for it is considered unworthy of a man to engage in any domestic occupation. These hand-mills are simply two circular flat stones, generally about 18 inches in diameter, the upper turning loosely upon a wooden pivot, and moved quickly round by a wooden handle. The grain is poured through the hole of the pivot, and the flour is collected in a cloth spread under the mill; it is then mixed with water, kneaded in a wooden bowl, and pressed by the hand into round balls ready for baking. During these processes the women are usually seated on the bare ground; hence in Isaiah (47:1, 2) is the daughter of Babylon told to sit in the dust and on the ground, and “to take the millstones and grind meal.”