'Routes in Arabia' [‎143] (176/852)

143
8fc)
Route No. 3.8— conld.
situated near the north bank of the wddi. The place consists
of long, dreary streets of half-ruined clay cottages, surrouri led
by a mud wall. There is a public square about an acre in
extent, in the middle of which is a watch-tower commanding a
view of the surrounding country. The water-supply is sweet
from wells at 50 feet. A market is held every Friday. There
are 300 camels, a few donkeys, and 60 cattle. Dates, cereals,
fruits, and vegetables are grown.
The route then crosses the wddi and traverses a pebbly
desert on the south.
At mile 26, Rass, an important town of about 3,500 in
habitants. It has a high watch-tower. The oasis is surround
ed, except on the east, by date groves (the major portion of
which, however, are said to have been destroyed in 1904) and
orchards. There is much arable land in the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. -ar-Rummah,
and there are several outlying places where corn is grown.
Water is good and abundant from wells at 40 feet. Supplies
and transport are plentiful.
Here Route No. 41, Buraidah -Al-Madinah, branches off.
SHABAIKIYAH 38 m.
82 m.
basaltic plain.
At mile 38 Shabaiklyah ;
20 feet.
6 DHARIYAH
South-south-west.
The route runs across
a level, granitic, and
sweet water from 30 wells at
40 m. South by west. The
route continues across
the plain. At mile 30
122 m.
scattered hills begin.
At mile 40 Dharlyah, a village of about 40 mud houses.
Water is good from 20 wells at 40 feet. Cereals and vegetables
are grown, but there are no date palms.
7 SUFWIYAH .. 27 m. South-south-west.
- The route runs be-
149 m> tween high ridges. At
milo 10 Jabal Sa'ar is passed on the east of the route and a
tract of loose sand dunes is entered. At mile 20 level desert
plain begins.
At mile 27 Sufwiyah ,* numerous wells of brackish water
at 10 feet.
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