IRON.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2387, 26 July 1892, Page 4

IRON.

Iron, we all know, is occasionally referred to in the Bible ; but not so many are aware, perhaps, that the most common and useful of metal forms the title of a division of the Alkoran of Mohammed. Yet this is the case. The 57th chapter of the Mohammedan Scriptures is intituled “‘lron; revealed at Mecca or at Medina,” For. singularly enough, it appears to be uncertain which of the two Arabian cities was the scene of the revelation of this portion of the Koran. Although the word iron, as we see, constitutes the title, it is found but once in the chapter, namely, in the sentence “And we sent them [men] down iron, wherein is mighty strength for war, and various advantages unto mankind.” The legend embodied iu the note of the commentator to the first phrase is curious. It runs as follows :—“ That is, we taught them how to dig iron from the mines. A 1 s£amakhshari adds that Adam is said to have brought down with him from Paradise five things made of iron, viz., an anvil, a pair of tongs, two hammers (a greater and a lesser), and a needle ! ” It is interesting to note in the above-quoted sentence of the chapter that the fact that iron is a substance “ wherein is mighty strength of war ” seems to be of first importance. The “ various advantages unto mankind” are apparently a secondary consideration.— Iron.