Page 240 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

XI.] COAST OF ARABIA. 221

parts of the Desert, and the destruction of
their date-groves was an event by no means
unfrequently occurring. Since the Pasha,
however, now derives a considerable revenue
from the produce of their date-plantations, it
has become desirable to prevent the recur­
rence of these disputes, and a force is con­
stantly stationed here.
As Ptolemy places Iambia near this spot,
it is much to be regretted that we could not

visit it, since some interesting remains might
possibly have been discovered. It is some­
what singular that the Arabs of Yembo’-Nakhl
should to this day consider Yembo* as a co­
lony, or a merely temporary residence.
Owing to a scarcity of natural springs,
the inhabitants of Yembo’ are obliged to col­
lect rain-water, which is preserved in reser­
voirs. They adopt a simple method to effect
this. Some low spot, to which watercourses
naturally lead, being selected, a tank is sunk,
whose sides are well lined with cement, and

the top roofed over. But, should little or no
rain fall during the season, as is the case
about once in six years, the inhabitants ob­
tain a supply from some wells about an hour’s