Page 354 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XIX.] TRAVELS IN OMaN. 315

from the purity of the air he breathes in his
slumbers.
Primitive limestone is the predominant rock

in Omfin, the principal chain of mountains
being almost solely of this formation, and it
enters largely into the composition of the in­

ferior ranges.
In the northern provinces, and on the sea­
shore in the vicinity of Maskat, hills rising

one thousand five hundred and sometimes
two thousand feet in height are composed

wholly of mica slate, deposited in thin folds,
and twisted into a variety of tortuous forms.
In the vicinity of Ras Mussendom there are

basaltic rocks, in some places forming steep
acclivities, and in others assuming the shape

of mountain-caps. Arabia has been pro­
nounced to be wholly destitute of the pre­
cious metals, but in this province we meet

with silver associated as is usual with lead.
Copper is also found: at a small hamlet on

the road from Semed to Neswah there is a
mine which the Arabs at present work, but
the others are wholly neglected. Even in

the vicinity of Maskat the hills are very
metalliferous. No precious stones, as far as

I can learn, have at any time been found.