ALMANACK. two columns by Merwan, the last caliph of the house of Om-mijah. In repairing a decayed mikias or measuring pillar, and erecting a new one for determining the gradation of the increase of the Nile, Almamun displayed his love of science. In the year 833 he again visited Egypt: on his return he penetrated into the territories of the Greek emperor, even into Cilicia. Returning home, he encamped on the banks of a river, and, excited by thirst, drank too freely of the water, and at the same time indulged himself immoderately in eating a particular kind of dates, which brought on a complaint in his stomach, and reduced him to the most imminent danger. Sensible of his approaching dissolution, he sent letters into all the provinces, declaring his brother Motassem his successor, and then patiently waited the event. After a tedious struggle under the pressure of his disease, and while uttering this ejaculation, "O thou who never diest, have mercy on me, a dying man!" he expired at the age of 48 or 49 years, after a reign of 27 years and some months.