"بعثة لإجراء عملية مسح لنهري دجلة والفرات، تم تنفيذها بأمر من الحكومة البريطانية، في السنوات ١٨٣٥، ١٨٣٦، ١٨٣٧؛ تسبقها إشعارات جغرافية وتاريخية للمناطق الواقعة بين نهري النيل والسند. في أربعة مجلّدات. مع أربع عشرة خريطة ورسمًا، ومزينة بثلاث عشرة لوحة، بالإضافة للعديد من الرسومات بالحفر على الخشب. المجلّد الأول." [‎٦‎٢‎٥] (٩٠٥/٧٢٢)

CHAP. XXIII.]
ARABS OF YEMEN.
625
foundation of the city is attributed to Saba-ben-Ya'shab-ben-
Ya rab; 1 and in the neighbourhood, according to Arabian Supposed
authors, are the remains of a large structure, with columns
28 cubits high, probably an aqueduct, to which they gave the
name of the throne of Balkis, 2
Throughout the territory of Yemen may be traced some
remains of the manners and civilization of the ancient Sabeans.
The local governments are strong, the merchant is protected,
and the interests of commerce are secured.
Eastward of Belad-el-J6f there is an extensive wilderness. Occupants of
peopled by the Bedawins ; in its centre, at Belad-el-Salah-ed- ^ a e c J fferent
din, is the mountainous tract occupied by sedentary Arabs, and
again, towards the western side, near the borders of Yemen,
is Belad-el-Sherif, a tract occupied by the descendants of Mu-
hammed.
The plains northward from thence to the frontiers of Nedjd,
contain numerous families of the Beni Kaktan Arabs, one of
the most ancient tribes of that people. They are divided into
two main branches, viz., the Es Sahama and El Ah'sa, and
the country which they occupy affording excellent pasturage,
they breed many superior horses and a vast number of fine
camels. 3
1 Arabic MS. Description of Yemen, 7502, in the British Museum; trans
lated by Dr. A. Sprenger. 8 Ibid.
8 Burckhardt's Travels in Arabia, vol. II., pp. 384, 385; and Niehbuhr's
Travels, vol. II., p. 61.
VOL. I.