Page 201 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

102 COAST OF ARABIA. [CH.

"which period a heavy swell is experienced at
the entrance; so that, should it fall calm, a
vessel would probably be set on the rocks.
At the distance of half a mile from the beach,
and fronting the anchorage, is an opening in
the range of hills which runs parallel with
the coast, affording an extensive view of the
interior. Fronting this opening grow several

I dum-trees*, and a few yards farther to the
right are wells with an abundant supply of

water, sunk by Soolt&n Selim I. for the use of
the pilgrims on the Hajj route, and con­

structed of hewn coral. The water procured
from them is tolerable, but inferior to that ■
!
obtained at Wej-h. A few deserted huts
stand near this spot; but we saw no inhabit­
ants, as it is only occasionally visited by the
Bedowins for the convenience of obtaining
wood and water. Of the birket, or reservoir,
mentioned in an itinerary procured by Burck-
hardt, we saw no traces.

The island of Na’man is long and narrow.
A few bushes are the only signs of vegetation
upon its rugged hills, which appear to be
almost entirely composed of coral. It is

* Palma Hebnica.