'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III.' [‎96v] (197/982)

182
BUS-BUS
I
until the end of March. In March and April the rainfall is usually in the
form of brief showers, the sky remaining otherwise clear.
Prevailing winds. —The prevailing winds are the Shimdl or north-west,
and Kaus, which blows from the south-east. The former prevails at sea
for nearly nine months of the year, and blows very cold and boisterous
in the winter months, a Shimdl or “ Nor’-wester ” lasting usually three
days. The same wind blows almost incessantly during June and July,
and though then less violent, relieves the temperature near the coast.
At this season it is called locally the “ 40 days’ winds.”
Population — The present population is about 15,000. It is com
posed of extremely heterogenous elements, but it is predominately
Persian, and Persian is almost the only language heard. The following
are the most important of the classes represented at Bushire
Persians.
Other Orientals.
Bushiris
.. 5,000
Shambadis ..
.. 1,000
Belibehanls..
.. 1,000
Kazaranis ..
.. 1,000
Khanasiria ..
.. 300
Shirazis
.. 200
Tangaslrls ..
200
Duvvams ..
.. 200
Dehdashtls
.. 150
Dashtis
100
Jews .. •• •• 600
Armenians .. .. • • 35
Goanese .. .. . • 20
Baghdad Muhamma dans .. 20
Baghdad Christians .. .. 18
Europeans.
British .. .. • • 24
Eurasians .. .. 10
French, Russians, Belgians, etc. 18
As a whole the population are physically well-developed and men
tally quick and intelligent ; but their naturally well-bred manners conceal
an unreliable and ungrateful disposition, and they are inclined to be uncivil
to foreigners, though less than formerly. ^ -on
Trade. Bushire is still the chief gateway of foreign trade in Southern
Persia. Local trade is conducted in the bazars, which are situated on the
east side of the town ; the principal of these is clean, roofed in and some
211 yards in length. In all there are about 600 shops.
Standards of weight are the Bushire man of 7f lbs. English and a Hashim
man consisting of 16 Bushire mans and equal to 12 4 lbs. English.
Shipping. —The shipping of Bushire consists of 50 to 60 mdshuwahs of 10
to 15 tons manned by 6 to 7 men, each which runs only between the town and
the harbour ; about 50 sambuqs, bums and large rmshuwahs of 30 to 40 tons
which make voyages to all the principal Gulf Ports; 4 baghlahs of 50 to 60
tons ; and about 20 larger vessels which make long voyages. Besides these
there are about 350 fishing-boats.
Supplies. —The water of the town is bad. Every house almost has a well,
but the liquid which it yields is bitter ; about 10 per cent, of the houses are
provided with reservoirs. The better class obtain their drinking water
from Bahmani, Andar Bandar, Dahmiru and Bujikdan or Gunjashkdan,
places in the peninsula at a considerable distance from the town ; but even
this water is slightly brackish and cannot be drunk with impunity by people
who are not accustomed to it. Other supplies in the town depend chiefly
on the state of the export and import trade at the moment.
Communications .—The adjoining mainland can be preached by boat, dis
embarkation taking place at Shif on the northern coast of the bay, which