Page 98 - A Hand book of Arabia Vol 1 (iii) Ch 4,5

144 ASIR

of 4-i cables and a depth of 7 fathoms) is between the shoal and
reef/ There are two other entrances near the shore, north and south,
but these are fit only for small craft. The only steam-vessels calling
at Qunfudah were those of the Austrian Lloyd Company, at
intervals of about three months.
9. Hali Point is the western headland of a small bay, well sheltered
from northerly and easterly winds, and is situated at about lat. ,
18£° N., some forty miles SSE. of Qunfudah. The coast is here
!
bordered by an extensive reef which gives a certain amount of
shelter to any craft that may be there. There are no houses actually
on the shore, but a town or village is said to exist ! not far inland ’.
Jebel Hali is a prominent peak of the nearest coastal range, and is :
strikingly pyramidal in shape.
10. Jeizan, a small port settlement, hardly more than a village,
in lat. 17° N., on the coast about 200 miles SSE. of Qunfudah ;
it lies opposite the Farsan group of islands, and is backed by the j
Jeizan hills. It is Idrisi’s chief outlet to the sea; the other is Midi,
farther south (see below). Jeizan has a few square stone buildings, j
but consists principally of round grass-huts with pointed roofs, j
A fort, on the southern side, is in a state of decay. Water is very
scarce in the town, but 4 miles to the north-east are some good wells.
The small bazaar is scantily supplied with native dry provisions, but
fresh meat and vegetables may be procured on giving a day’s notice.
The population, in 1834, was 400, and the people were then, and
still are, chiefly employed in the pearl fishery on the banks and reefs j
by which the coast is protected. Niebuhr described the town as i
‘ situated on a hill in fertile country and ‘ having a trade in senna j
leaves, which grow in the district, and also coffee ’. The Farsan !
Islands, once desired by Germany for a coaling station, are now j
occupied by a British garrison.
11. Midi (Medi), a large hut-village on the coast, and in 1916 an

important port visited by Messrs. Cowasjee Dinshawi’s steamers. .
Idrisi has a small fort on high ground clear of the village, a
square, bastioned enclosure of mud-brick. Trade-routes run from
Midi eastward to Sa'dah and San'a.