Page 75 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

36 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

to be discovered. Close adjoining to the spot

from whence the water issues a small square
reservoir has been constructed for the con­

venience of those who come to bathe there.
Immersed in this, a thermometer, Fahrenheit,

indicated one hundred and ten degrees, which

was two degrees less than at the rock. After
repeated trials I found it difficult to decide
that it had any peculiarity of taste or smell.

At one time I was induced to consider it

slightly chalybeate, and at another to be in
no higher degree saline; but, in neither in­
stance, could I have given an opinion de­

cidedly, and it may, therefore, be considered

that, in both these respects, it differs but
little from the water obtained in other parts

of the country. Here the natives, after
placing it to cool in porous pans, pronounce

it excellent, drinking no other. It was evi­
dent that neither its heat, nor any other

quality which it may possess, prevents its
nourishing the surrounding vegetation. As a

cure for cutaneous and other local disorders,
these waters enjoy a great reputation amongst

the Bedowins and town Arabs, the former fre­
quently undertaking long and painful jour­