Page 81 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

42 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

occasionally employ themselves in digging

amidst the ruins for gold coins, the metal of

which in Maskat is considered to be of the
purest kind. Some of these bear the name

of the Caliph Haroun el Rashid.
Quitting Kilhat with a pleasant breeze, we

reached Shr shortly after sunset, and an­
chored in the inner harbour, within a few

yards of the shore. From Maskat to this
port the mountain ranges approach close to

the sea, and are very elevated: they bear the
name of Jebel Syenne and Rackee, and

are intersected by several valleys, some of

w'hich are filled with streams of fresh water.
Near to these are a few groves of the date
palm, and, though the plain is cultivated, the

hills are destitute of trees and verdure.

November ‘IQth. I found the Sheikh this
morning waiting on the beach to receive me,
and, after breakfasting with him on dates

and milk, we walked over the town.

Sur, the port of the district of Ja’il&n, is
situated on a low sandy shore, utterly desti­

tute of vegetation or trees. It is merely a
large collection of huts erected on either side

a deep lagoon, which are separately occupied