12 illustration(s) from this book
The Nesnás (above mentioned) is described as resembling half a human
being; having half a head, half a body, one arm, and one leg, with which
it hops with much agility; as being found in the woods of El-Yemen, and
being endowed with speech: "but God," it is added, "is all-knowing."[98]
It is said that it is found in Ḥaḍramót as well as El-Yemen; and that
one was brought alive to El-Mutawekkil: it resembled a man in form,
excepting that it had but half a face, which was in its breast, and a
tail like that of a sheep. The people of Ḥaḍramót, it is added, eat it;
and its flesh is sweet. It is only generated in their country. A man who
went there asserted that he saw a captured Nesnás, which cried out for
mercy, conjuring him by God and by himself.[99] A race of people whose
head is in the breast is described as inhabiting an island called Jábeh
(supposed to be Java), in the Sea of El-Hind, or India.[100] A kind of
Nesnás is also described as inhabiting the Island of Ráïj, in the Sea of
Eṣ-Ṣeen, or China, and having wings like those of the bat.[101]
The Hátif is a being that is heard, but not seen; and is often mentioned
by Arab writers. It is generally the communicator of some intelligence
in the way of advice, or direction, or warning.