'CORRECTIONS TO GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME III' [‎22r] (45/180)

BUS—BUS
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until the end of March. In March and April the rainfall is usually in the
form of brief showers, the sky remaining otherwise clear. The heat on the
high parts of the peninsula is less oppressive than in the town.
The best seasons for moverr ents of troops through Bf.shire are (1) from
15th March to 30th April; (2) from 1st October to 30th November. From
May 1st till the beginning of October the heat for the first 60 miles from the
•coast is excessive, while from December till February the cold on the plateau
is intense.
Prevailing winds. —The prevailing winds are the Shamdl 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 Shamed 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.”
Health. —The sanitary condition of Bushire is bad, for the soil is riddled
with cess-pools which are seldom cleaned out ; yet the place is riot unhealthy.
Malarial fever is the most prevalent disease amongst the native population.
Ophthalmia and other eye diseases are rife, caused by flies, dust, glare, and
the insanitary habits of the people. Plague sometimes visits the place during
the early summer. In 1911 there were 118 cases and 97 deaths between the
end of April and beginning of July.
Population.
The inhabitants of the peninsula, exclusive of Bushire town, number
about 8,500 souls and belong to mixed tribes. For further particulars see
under Buskire Town.
Resources.
For Trade see under Bushire town.
__The water of the'town is bad. Almost every house 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. The present European population, usually,
either distil the local water or obtain water from ships. Wells are very nu
merous all over the Peninsula, but the following are among the most im
portant. l t
1 The wells called “ Bahmani ” just outside the Malik s house at Rishahr;
these run almost dry in the hot weather. These are one of the chief sources
of drinking water for men.
2. The Andar Bandar ( £ ‘ Oonder Boonder ”) wells (under the telegraph
line and about 21 miles east of Malik’s house). These are said to be inex
haustible, and are used freely by the inhabitants, who carry away water