Page 418 - A Hand Book of Arabia Vol 2_Neat

ROUTE 39: TA’IF—BlSHAH 211

miles.
total, stages.
plantations and cultivation, in an enclosed plain.
Near it is a large square building like a fort,
and, to NW., a massive tower on the crest of
the highest neighbouring peak. There is a
running stream of clear water, but it is reputed
to produce fever, as it traverses contaminated
spots and stagnant marshes up-stream. The
place is said to be less elevated and hotter than
Ta’if.
Dir. E. by S., along the course of the stream for
i hr. ; then, at a point where the stream turns
abruptly N., the track climbs several barren hills
and finally a very steep mountain.
76J 5 Turah, in a valley, shaded with ithl trees, and containing
a clear stream with plenty of fish. This district
produces hashish.
Dir. ESE., down the course of the stream, the track
being alternately sandy and pebbly. The valley
then narrows, and the track turns S. into another
valley among rocky sterile mountains, down which
the same stream runs intermittently ; here it is
known as the Seil Ranyah.
83 Ranyah (or Raniyah), camping-place in Wadi Ranyah,
which runs from W. to E. ; the northern bank
is sandy and bare, the southern bank wooded;
there were no traces of dwellings, according to
Tamisier.
Dir. SE. for ^ hr., along the bed of the wadi; the
track then leaves the wadi to 1., and turns S.
It enters a valley, rocky at first, then sandy, and
reaches a waterless plain, where the going is easy.
7 A Camp, in the plain.
Dir. S. bv E.. continuing bv a good track over even
ground, but with here and there a short defile.
For a short space along this part of the route
there are traces of parallel walls, which flanked
the track.
07
Thaniyah (or Thinlyah). several hamlets and one large
mud-walled village protected by four round
towers of brick, in a wadi about 10 m. long and
from 1 to 3 m. in width ; total population about
0 2