in Grecian antiquity, a measure of capacity. See MEASURE.

MEDINA TALNARI, a famous town of Arabia Petraea, between Arabia Deserta and Arabia the Happy; celebrated for being the burial-place of Mahomet. It stands at a day's journey from the port of Tambo. It is of moderate size, surrounded by wretched walls, and situated in the midst of a sandy plain. It belongs to the sacerit of Mecca, although it had of late times a particular sovereign of the family of Dacii Barkad. At present the government is confided by the sacerit to a vizir, who must be taken from the family of the sovereign. Before Mahomet, this city was called Iathreb; but it got the name of Medinet en Nebbi, "the City of the Prophet," after Mahomet, being driven from Mecca by the Koreishites, had taken refuge there, and passed in it the rest of his days. The tomb of Mahomet at Medina is respected by Mussulmans, but they are under no obligation to visit it for the purposes of devotion. The caravans of Syria and Egypt alone, which on their return from Mecca pass near Medina, go a little out of their way to see the tomb. It stands in a corner of the great square, whereas the Kaba is situated in the middle of that at Mecca. That the people may not perform some superstitious worship to the relics of the prophet, they are prevented from approaching the tomb by grates, through which they may look at it. It consists of a piece of plain mason work in the form of a cheif, without any other monument. The tomb is placed between two others, where the ashes of the two first caliphs repose. Although it is not more magnificent than the tombs of the greater part of the founders of mosques, the building that covers it is decorated with a piece of green silk stuff embroidered with gold, which the pacha of Damascus renewed every seven years. It is guarded by 40 cunuchs, who watch the treasure said to be deposited there. It is seated in a plain abounding with palm trees, in E. Long. 57. 10. N. Lat. 25. See (History of) ARABIA.

MEDINA Coli, an ancient town of Spain, in Old Castile, and capital of a considerable duchy of the same name; seated near the river Xalon, in W. Long. 2. 9. N. Lat. 41. 15.

MEDINA de-las-Torres, a very ancient town of Spain, in Estremadura, with an old castle, and the title of a duchy. It is seated on the confines of Andalusia, at the foot of a mountain near Bajadoz.

MEDINA-del-Campo, a large, rich, and ancient town of Spain, in the kingdom of Leon. The great square is very fine, and adorned with a superb fountain. It is a trading place, enjoys great privileges, and is seated in a country abounding with corn and wine. W. Long. 4. 20. N. Lat. 41. 22.

MEDINA-del-rio-Secco, an ancient and rich town of Spain, in the kingdom of Leon, with the title of a duchy; seated on a plain, remarkable for its fine pastures. Medina E. Long. 4. 33. N. Lat. 42. 8.