a people of Syria, also called Ensarians, Ansarians properly Nassaris and Ansayri. The territory occupied by the Ansarians is that chain of mountains which extends from Antakia to the rivulet called Nahr-el-Kabir, or the Great River. They are divided into several tribes or sects, among which are distinguished the Shamsia, or adorers of the sun; the Kelbia, or worshippers of the dog; and the Kadmosian, who are said to pay a particular homage to that part in women which corresponds to the priapus. This last tribe appears from Colonel Chesney's account, to be the same as the Ismaili, who implicitly obey their chief Sheikh-al-Hasshishin. They are the tribe of Assassins, whose principal seat is in the mountains of Persia.—Expedition to Euphrates and Tigris, vol. i. p. 543. Their name is now believed to be derived from the narcotic hemp, Cannabis indica, which is called in Persia hashish-an, and is employed to intoxicate. The Ansarians have strongholds in the mountains of Tripoli; but their chief seat is in Persia. They are a more vigorous race than most Orientals; browner than the Turks, but fairer than the Arabs. It is said they can muster 40,000 fighting men.