'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎636] (733/905)

636
hadramaut.
[chap. xxiv.
The survey and description by Captain Haines, of the Indian
navy, have made us acquainted with the coast, but the interior
is little known. Indeed this interesting province has scarcely
been visited by any European, if we except the hasty journey
of a Polish gentleman, 1 who traversed it in going from Mokha
to Mask at, keeping parallel to, and at no great distance from,
the coast. During this undertaking that gentleman met with
a number of villages, surrounded by cultivation ; but a wilder
ness constitutes the greatest part of the tract lying between
the Arabian and Persian Gulfs. The province under conside
ration, which probably is the finest portion of the country,
inhabitants of contains three descriptions of people, viz., the Bedawm, the
the district. Kobails or Highlanders, and Arabs, who have become fixed
residents in the towns and villages. These are in a flourish
ing condition, frequently having well-watered valleys around
them ; while the rest of the country exhibits a diversity of
soil, with a surface consisting of. mountains, hills, wadis and
deserts ; but according to the information lately collected, the
whole province is fertile, the towns and villages populous,
with abundance of water, fine date groves, &c. The moun
tainous tract of Leger 2 produces the celebrated frankincense.
Port of shehr. In former times this province had three ports ; 3 Mirbath,
Shabermah, and El Shahr or Shehr: the first is near the
eastern limits, and is a place of extensive commerce with the
port of Dafar or Zafar, five farsangs westward, which is cele
brated for gums, senna, &c. 4 The last. El Shahr, once the
seat of the Adites, and since a flourishing port, exporting
amber, &c. 5 is now a mere village of 300 fishermen, with a
fort; it belongs to the Kasai'di tribe. 6 In the interior were
the ancient mountain towns, called Irem and Terim, each con
taining, it is said, 10,000 inhabitants, of whom in the former
1 The late Mr. Borowski, whom I met in 1831, just after he reached Persia,
subsequently to the journey in question ; soon afterwards he entered the Shdh's
service, and was killed during the protracted siege of Herat.
8 Royal Geographical Journal, vol. IX., p. 151.
3 Arabic Geo. MS. in the British Museum, translated by Dr. Sprenger.
4 Royal Geographical Journal, vol. IX., p. 151.
5 Arabic Geo. MS., translated by Dr. A. Sprenger.
6 Royal Geographical Journal, vol. IX., p. 151.