"الطرق في بلاد فارس" [‎١‎٤‎٩] (٨٥٢/١٨٢)

149
R oute N o. 39—contd.
3 FARQAIN .. 15 m. South by west.
The route passes over
gg country similar to that
in stage 2. From here onwards the ground gradually rises.
At mile 5 Rukkah, a square fort and some brackish wells.
Jabal 'Umri, a conspicuous mountain of basalt is passed
on the west of the route.
At mile 15 Jabal Farqain.
4 ASH-SHI'AB .. 25 m. South by west.
The route passes over
93 m. high steppes at an ele
vation of about 4,200 feet covered with hillocks and sharp rocks.
At mile 8 Jabal Mini'ah is passed on the east of the route.
At mile 12 the wells of Ghul; they are masonry lined and
contain good water at 12 feet. There are desert shrubs, acacia
trees, and good pasturage {Nasi grass).
At mile 25 Ash-Shl'ab, a basaltic hill with a watering place
called Kabshan.
The whole of this desert upland bears pasturage and a few
acacia trees. It receives annual rains.
5 UMM-AL-MASH- 25 m. South by west.
A'IB. The route passes over
118 m. the same high country,
but basalt beigns to predominate over granite.
There are some desert trees.
At mile 25 Umm-al-Masha'ib. No water.
6 'AFIF .. ..30 m. South by west.
The route passes over
148 m. open country with many
acacia trees. At mile 7 Jabal Nir is passed on the east of the
route.
At mile 30 "Afif, an ancient dry masonry-lined well with
brownish, but not disagreeable, water at 60 feet situated in a
hollow surrounded by low basalt hills. The supply is held to be
sufficient for 2,500 people. There is plenty of coarse pasturage.