Page 349 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)

:32a
COAST OF NUBIA. [CH.

these gentlemen, with the sketch taken from
tlie late trigonometrical survey, demonstrate
that the former is at the same time incorrect
and incomplete. In fact a bare inspection of
their route, which I have traced on the
sketch, will show that a very small portion

of the whole surface of the island could have
come under their personal observation. The
Benares* chart of the island establishes, be­
yond a doubt, the existence of the harbour of
Dobelew, formed between Ras el Shoel and
Irwee, as described by Bruce, and his de­
scription of its narrow entrance, the great
rapidity of the tides, and the uneven and
rocky bottom, have been all found to be per­
fectly correct.

Regarding the tanks, the officers of the
Benares could not ascertain their exact
number, though more than one hundred and
twenty, hewn out of the rock, were shown to
them. These were not all so protected as to
prevent the approach of animals, as men­

tioned by Mr. Salt, but were particularly
remarked by the officers of the Benares to
be partly filled up with dung of animals and
filth. The natives stated to the party that