Page 256 - Records of Bahrain (2)(ii)_Neat

582 Records of Bahrain

TIIE ISLANDS OF BAHREIN: 201

long by ono foot ten thick. Of course, all round, over and under
these, tlioro arc smallor masses buried in mortar, flints and
earth. Though I searched most carefully, I found no marks
of writing anywhere, not even a mason’s mark on any of the
stones.
I think that the roof of the tomb, which, from the breadth
of the central passage, could not bo made of single trans­

verse blocks, was unequal to supporting the weight of earth
piled upon it, and had gradually slipped in.
Out of all the number of large tombs, there is still one,
though not the largest, which would, I believe, well repay
further research.
From October to April the climate of Bahrein is delightful,
during the other months of the year it would be impossible
to carry on work.

Notes on Capt. Durand’s Report upon the Islands of
Bahrein. By Major-General Sir II. Rawlinson,
K.C.B., F.R.S., President and Director of the Royal
Asiatic Society.
Having been led by Oapt. Durand’s discoveries at Bahrein
to look into the question of the antiquities of the Persian
Gulf, I have been surprised to find how much new and
interesting matter relating to this region has been accumu­

lated since Vincent and Ilccrcn conducted their investigations
into “ the commcrco and navigation of the ancients ” ; and
although, therefore, I have not sufficient leisure at my com­
mand at present to work out the inquiry as it deserves to bo
worked out, I have still thought that the notes collected
during my desultory reading might be usefully submitted to
a meeting of this Society, both with a view to the partial
illustration of the subject, and more especially in the hope of
suggesting lines of research to other and more competent
students.
Tho importance, thon, of this maritimo region in tho
VOL. XII.—[NKW 8BHIES."] H