Page 334 - A Hand Book of Arabia Vol 2_Neat

LjUTE 27 : MEDINA—MECCA
169

miles.
total, stages.
Dir. slightly E. of !i!SE., at lirst along a level stretch,
and then over a stony plain where masses of rock
lie across the path. The coastal chain lies from
20 to 30 m. to the east throughout this stage.
124 m. The route leads through low hills of moving
sand.
182 24 Kvllryah (or Kubcibah), a Hajj station ; water and
a small date-grove about 4 m. to NE. The sea
is from 12 to 16 m. distant.

Dir. varies at first, then tends S. by E. For some
miles the route traverses ground covered with
a saline crust.
204 m. Track enters deep sandy ground with
tamarisk trees ; it then crosses a gravelly
plain.
5-4 m. A steep sandy hill, called Thenyat el-Khuleis,
is crossed. The road on both slopes of the
hill is flanked with walls to prevent encroach­
ment of sand ; camels ascend with difficulty.
The ruins of a large building stand at the top.
Dir. SSW. for about 4 m. over a partially cultivated
plain.
213 31 Khuleis (or Khalls), a village of 200 inhabitants in
Burckhardt’s time, now said to have a population
of 500. It lies in a broad plain and consists of
several scattered hamlets, the largest of which is
called Es-Siiq. Near the suq rises a small rivulet
of tepid water, and there is also a tank. There
are date-groves, gardens and considerable live­
stock. About 6 m. to the NE. is the fertile
Wdcli Khuwar, known for its numerous planta­

tions of bananas, from which the markets of
Mecca and Jidclah are supplied.
Dir. SE. by S. over a wide sandy plain, with here and
there tx-acts of clay bearing trees and shrubs.

19 m. At a spot marked by a tomb, descend a narrow
defile w'hich is only practicable for laden
camels in single file ; the bed of the defile is
piled with large sharp blocks of stone and is
liable to sudden torrents after rain.
2 m. The valley opens out.

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