Page 178 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

IX.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 139

part of the plains ; but the valleys with seve­

ral hollows are extensively cultivated, and
supply such an abundance of fruit, &c., that

many writers have considered them as com­
mon to the whole range, and hence is derived

its present appellation. The most important of
these productions are the vines, which extend

along the valley for miles. They are chiefly
grown on terraced grounds, and entwine

themselves around poles about six feet in
height. They are abundantly watered by

artificial rills, and the soil appears rich and
fertile. Their fruit is of several kinds ; wine

being made principally from the white, while
the large black grape is used for drying into

raisins.
The Arabs consider the almond-tree to be

a native of Oman. It attains a greater size
here than in the plains below, and some were

shown me from thirty to forty feet in height.
We found both the sweet and bitter kinds;

and while the latter are considered very ap­
petising, the former enter largely into the

composition of all their made dishes, whether
of grain, sweetmeats, or animal food. They

have also walnuts, figs, and nutmegs. The