The flat horizontal portion of an European, Eastern European and Middle Eastern style commode, which function is to provide a surface in which fecal matter has a place to rest. This is so the distributor of said feces can inspect the item to gain insight on the health of his, her, they, them or otherwise's internal organs and fecal matter produciton efficiency.
I sure am thankful that these restrooms have a sufficient 'inspection shelf' for me to lay my log upon. If they didn't, I wouldn't have been able to determine that I did eat that much corn last night. I surely don't recall consuming that much.