Page 291 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

252 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

which this part of the coast of Arabia is in­
dented, and into which the fear of unknown

dangers prevented our vessels from following
them. When this was communicated to the
Indian Government, it was at once resolved

that a minute examination should be made of
them.

Being employed in this investigation for a
considerable period, I had the most favour­
able opportunities of collecting the informa­

tion here detailed.
To the expedition science is indebted for

those magnificent surveys of the Persian and
Arabian Gulfs. Notwithstanding the diffi­

culties and privations they encountered from
the perilous nature of the navigation, the
jealous and hostile character of the natives,

and the still more formidable effects of cli­
mate, the heat of which at certain seasons is

almost insupportable, the surveying vessels
successfully persevered. The result was so
satisfactory, not only in adding to our stock of

geographical knowledge, but in furnishing the
Government with a full account of the several

tribes, their condition and resources, that it
was subsequently resolved to examine in a