'Routes in Arabia' [‎529] (562/852)

529
R oute N o . 150— contd.
0
No. jf stage
and total
distance.
Details.
MECCA .. See Route No. 146.
1 WADILAIMUN 17 m. Route passes through
- ( W adi F atimah ) valleys of firm sand
17 m . between chains of low
hills. As far as the Umra at 2 J miles the road is paved here and
there with stones, especially on the up gradients. At mile 11
the ruined tomb of Umm Maimuniyah is passed ; near it is a
well of sweet water and a reservoir. The halting place abounds
in springs and wells, and there is a small rivulet 3 feet by 2 feet
flowing in a stone-cased channel with an opening at the
halting place. Dates and vegetables are grown; there is
excellent pasturage for camels, and the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. is covered with
shrubs. A few cattle are obtainable.
2 AL-KARA .. 15 m. The route" crosses
the wddi for about
32 m. 2 miles, and then rises
gently through valleys full of acacia trees. At mile 4 the
country opens out, and the trees diminish. The route continues
over a gravelly plain, called Al-Barkah.
3 BIR 'ASFAN .. 13 m. Route crosses a black
flinty, waterless plain,
45 m . named Al-Kara. At
about mile 6 a ruined building, SabTl-al-Kara, with a filled up
well is passed. The plain in the vicinity is covered with thick
shrubs. At about mile 12J the route begins to ascend slightly
through a broad wooded valley. The well of 'Asfan is large,
deep, and masonry lined, with a spring of good water at the
bottom.
Alternative route from Mecca joins in here.
4 KHALIS .. 19 m. Route continues up
the valley, and at
04 about mile 2 enters a
narrow defile some 2 miles long, only passable by one camel at
a time. Torrents rush .down it in winter. At the top is a
small building. The route then crosses a wide plain of sand,