'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.' [‎631] (728/905)

CHAP. XXIV.] DER'AYYAH. 6 31
an d cGntains numerous villages; 1 its prolongation eastwardtwofWadi-
reaches the borders of El Hassa. This valley is understood to el - Khard ^
produce a certain plant which is efficacious in curing the bites
of serpents and scorpions; and it was once occupied by part
of the two tribes mentioned above, the Bern Tasim and Bern
Jedis. 2 It contains the towns of Zumeyhah, El Sulemyeh,
Nadjan, and one formerly called Zaraka, a name derived from
a woman, and probably the root of the branch afterwards so
well known as the Saracens. 3
A little way northward of Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. -el-Khardj is Manfouah, Manfouah.
with the remains of a fort rased by Ibrahim Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. . The
town contains 2000 houses, many of which are well built and
of two stories. In this district there are, it is understood,
about 300 villages. 3
Ten miles north-westward, seated in a narrow valley on the Description of
south-western side of the chain of Jeb-el-'Aridh, is the capital, Der ' a y yah -
which is watered by an abundant stream, and agreeably
situated amidst date plantations and gardens producing apri
cots, figs, grapes, pomegranates, citrons, and other fruits.
Der'ayyah is composed of five small towns or villages, forming
two principal divisions, the eastern portion, called Selle, being
on one side of the deep ravinet and Tarifa, the western, on the
other, the whole is enclosed by a wall and towers. Before
the destructive siege by Ibrahim Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. the town contained
28 mosques, 30 medressehs, and about 2500 houses, gene
rally good, some of brick, others of stone, and its population
exceeded 15,000 souls. 5 The Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Beni Hanifah, that of the
capital, is strong, having but two approaches, the one at El
Ayemeh on the west, and the other on the east of Der'ayyah. 6
Yemameh and the chain of Jeb-el-'Aridh, together with Nedjd 'Aridh.
Waschem and the other districts already noticed, stretching
to the N. W. as far as Jeb-el-Shammar, constitute the extensive
district of Nedjd Aridh, or the mountainous part of Nedjd.
1 Abu-l-fedd, in M. De la Roque's Voyage in Arabia.
8 Ibid. 8 Dr. Sprenger's Notes.
4 Captain Sadlier, Bombay Literary Society, vol. III., p. 469.
5 Mengin's History of Muhammed 'All.
6 Arabic Geo. MS., translated by Dr. Aloys Sprenger.