Page 228 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

XI.] COAST OF ARABIA. 209

There are numerous breaches in this portion
of the wall, which, being constructed at an
earlier period than the rest, is consequently
in a more ruinous state. Many of these open­
ings seem to have been made purposely to
facilitate the communication with the boats,
so that at high water the sea, which washes
some distance above the base, is partially

admitted into the town. The towers also are
much dilapidated, and the town might easily
be entered through the embrasures, which are
not above three feet from the ground. When
the two or three guns placed on each tower
are not in use, the garrison keep these open­
ings closed by wooden shutters. Yembo* has
no other fortifications. Many of the houses,
which are built of coral, appear in a ruinous
condition, and generally exhibit symptoms of
rapid decay. In their arrangement they differ
from those of Jiddah and Mokha by having,
with few exceptions, all the apartments on
one floor, and a ruder and coarser masonry.

Its native inhabitants are mostly Arabs of
the Joheinah tribe; the other residents being
merchants, descendants of Mussulman In­
dians, who alone engage in trade; but neither
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