Page 318 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XVIII.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 281

for the purpose, at an angle of fifteen degrees.
Both ropes are affixed to the yoke, and by
the time the water is swayed sufficiently

high, that made fast to the hose which has
hitherto been kept in a vertical position, be­

comes tightened, drawing the mouth of the
hose downwards, and the water is then dis­

charged into a narrow reservoir.
When the wells are sufficiently shallow

they practise the same method as is adopted
by the Egyptians on the banks of the Nile.
A pole being suspended in the middle be­

tween two supporters, the bucket is attached
to one extremity, and a stone or some heavy

article to the other: its weight assists the
peasant, who sways on the rope attached to
it. From the reservoir the water is con­

ducted, by artificial rills, over the face of the
surrounding country.

Their implements of husbandry are rude
and ill constructed. The plough is of the
same description as that of Yemen, which

will be found figured by Niebuhr. After
ploughing, they form the ground with a spade

into small squares with ledges on either side,
along which the water is conducted. Be­