Page 54 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

12 SOHAR.

course of four miles, at length enters it, and forms the Point Kurnah.
The inland ridge, after shaping a vast and lofty amphitheatre, bedded
with sand, broken into rough stony ground near its base, presents a bold
and precipitous boundary to the Persian Gulf near Arnsandam.
_ _ . This
plain is called Batinah, to distinguish it from Hajar, or the hilly country,
and is productive of dates, clover, maisc, barley, the indigo plant!
and all the tropical fruits and vegetables ; much inferior, however, in
flavour and quantity to those reared in Iiajar : the former is artificially
irrigated by numerous wells, while the cultivated tracts of the latter
abound in springs of water, and are intersected by rivulets. The
Native inhabitants of Batinah invariably present a countenance deeply
tinged with the yellow hue of disease, and a gaunt, meagre form.
Ethiopians and Hindoos, however, enjoy better health in this unfavour­
able region.
To re-touch in detail the sketch of the tract of country we have just
examined, it remains to be observed, that from Muskat to Sir, with the
exception of the flat on which Mattrah is situated, the whole interven­
ing space is occupied by an unbroken mass of rocks far distant from
the sea. Thence, however, to Burka and Shinas, the country opens
into a semicircular plain, extending, in depth, for nearly two days’
journey, towards the foot of its stupendous boundary, and admitting
throughout of favourable cultivation. From Shinas to Khurfakhan, the
mountains encroach so considerably on the lowland as only to leave
occasional sandy hollows for the labours of the husbandman ; but
thence to Ras-ool-Jabal the waves lash their base, and the enormous
mass, ascending perpendicularly above the ocean, admits of a ship
passing directly beneath its pinnacle.

Sohar, Shinas Castle, Kiiurfakhan, and Dabba.
To return to the point whence we digressed, we must remark Sohar,
a town in lat. 24° 21' N., about twenty-two leagues NW.by W. from
Burka Island. It is a place of some strength, and forms the frontier
against the clan Ghafiri. The next remakable spot we reach is Shinas
Castle, in lat. 24° 45' N., and distant nearly nine leagues in a NNW.
direction. To this succeeds the small cove of Khurfakhan, in lat.
25° 20'N.; and next Dabba, distant from Julfar only half a day’s
journey, across the cape, which hence juts forth into the sea, and
contributes to form the narrow entrance of the Persian Gulf.

The Oman.
The Oman extends from Ras-ool-Hud to Ras-ool-Khyma, and is
ruled by the two tribes Hinavi and Ghafiri; to the first of which, under
fealty to the Chiefs of the house of Syudi, belongs the district extending