'Routes in Arabia' [‎345] (378/852)

345
Route No. 94— contd.
settlements strung out along the tvddi, and the whole is covered
by protecting forts as at Yashbum and Nisab. There is a large
amount of arable land along the wddi which never suffers from
drought, for even when rain is scarce locally the wddi, one of the
largest in Upper ' Aulaki, comes down in spate at regular intervals
from the hills of Dharir and Baidah.
There is a large dyeing and weaving industry throughout the
Markhah district.
The principal crops are :—
Bearded wheat, a 4-month crop sown in January. Durra
(white millet), a 3-month crop sown in May. Indigo
and cotton.
Water. —Plentiful.
Fuel. —Abundant.
Fodder. —Camel grazing abundant.
Supplies. —A good quantity of wheat and millet could be
obtained here on short notice, as this valley is the granary of the
surrounding districts.
2 BIR NAFA .. 25 m. The track from
Markhah lies for some
4.5 nu 8 miles up the broad
level bed of the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Markhah ; thence turning north it leaves
the wddi with its broad belt of cultivation on either bank, and
passing through a fringe of green bushes it strikes up on to a
series of screes and barren plateaux in a north-westerly direction
until Bir Nafa is reached.
Water. From a deep and excellent well. Water is ample
until the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Markhah is left; the subsequent tract is prob
ably waterless as far as Bir Nafa.
Fuel. —Probably ample.
Fodder. —Camel grazing; no details.
Supplies. —Nil.
:> SA1LAN •• 28 m. The track continues
' from Bir Nafa in a north-
^3 north-westerly direc
tion and at 8 miles from Bir Nafa it traverses the Rahwat-ar-
Ribbah. The going is very rough over the intervening stretch
and for some way beyond the pass, and the pace must be slow.
The Rahwat -ar-Ribbah is a narrow delile, and can easily be