Page 317 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

280 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

and neglected wastes but partially tilled, by
which other towns are disfigured, exhibit

extensive ranges of sown fields, rich in every
kind of vegetable production.

The crops in the plains depend, in some
measure, on the rains, although many parts

are irrigated from wells, some of which are of
considerable depth. It is singular, consider­

ing the pains which have been bestowed on
the rivulets by which the oases are supplied,
that the inhabitants should not seek by me­

chanical means to abridge the labour which
this process entails. Here, as in India, two

pieces of timber, generally the trunk of a
date-palm, are planted with sufficient incli­

nation to plumb the centre of the well.
Across a roller, affixed in the upper part of

these, a bucket-rope traverses, the bucket
being usually a bullock’s hide, gathered up

into the shape of a bag, with a hose at the
lower part: to the extremity of this a small
cord is attached, leading over a roller about

two feet above the brink of the well. Bul­
locks are used for drawing the water; and in

order to add the impetus of the animal to its
strength, he is driven down a slope excavated