Page 116 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

VI.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 77

I remark both here and in other parts of

Arabia, that the trees which are at all um­
brageous, have the ground immediately be­

neath them, even in the most sultry weather,
damp with moisture, and generally covered

with a thin sprinkling of grass, on which the
cattle feed with much avidity. This appears

owing to some peculiar property which their
foliage possesses of retaining the falling dew,

which is usually more copious in the Desert
than elsewhere, for I have frequently in the

morning observed the leaves of the sumr
tree {Acacia vera') to be slightly curved up­

wards, with a drop or two of water in them.

These, as the sun exerts its influence, assume
their natural form, and the moisture is de­

posited on the ground beneath. Under their
shade, the more vigorous vegetation which

springs up after rain derives nourishment for
some time after that which is more exposed

appears dried up and withered. Neverthe­
less, it is very remarkable that the most suc­

culent plants are found in those spots which
receive the full force of the sun’s rays.

The Beni Geneba, or “ Wandering Chil­
dren,” are a scattered race of about three