Page 133 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

.94 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [ CH.

riant vegetation, and embowered by lofty and
stately trees whose umbrageous foliage the

fiercest rays of a noontide sun cannot pene­

trate. The almond, fig, and walnut trees are
of enormous size, and the fruit clusters so

thickly on the orange and lime trees, that I
do not believe a tenth part can be gathered.

Above all, towers the date-palm, adding its
shade to the sombre picture. Some idea may

be formed of the density of this shade by
the effect it produces in lessening the terres­

trial radiation. A Fahrenheit’s thermometer,
which within the house stood at 55°, six

inches from the ground, fell to 45°. From this

cause, and an abundance of water, they are
always saturated with damp, and even in the

heat of the day possess a clammy coldness.
Such spots present, indeed, a singular and

peculiar scene, unequalled perhaps in any
part of the world. Of this, nothing can fur­

nish a more striking idea than the list of their

productions, all of which are frequently reared
in a plot of ground not more than three hun­

dred yards in diameter; and I am confident
no equal space, in any part of the world, will