Nine miles W.S.W. of Hormuz, and nearly abreast of
Cape Museldom, is tlie extremity of K ish m , the largest
island in the Gulf. Its length is about 5 4 1 miles, and its
average width eight. It is nearly parallel to the main land,
and is surrounded with coral reefs. The appearance when
sailing along the deep and narrow channel, interspersed with
wooded islands, which separates it from the main land, is
particularly arid; but the interior produces dates, wheat,
vegetables, mangoes, and other fruits,2 including grapes
without stones, and the usual abundance of water-melons.
Kishm, the principal town, is at the north-eastern extremity;
that of Lufth at the northern; and the Company’s station
(Bassadore) on a barren spot at the western extremity. The
people are chiefly Arabs, subject to the Imam of Muscat;
and their number may amount to 16,000.
At the opposite extremity of the chain is B u sh ea b , a low
flat island, with a harbour on the western side. About 20
miles eastward is R em, the second island in point of importance.
3 It is well peopled, low, and better planted with trees
than any other in the Gulf.4 The plains are cultivated with
wheat and Persian tobacco, and at the western extremity are
the town and anchorage. This place was abandoned by the
East India Company on account of its insalubrity; but
supplies of sheep, goats, and vegetables may still be obtained
there.
The province of Kirman evidently retains its ancient name
in that of the principal district, as well as the capital. The
northern portion, or Wild Carmania, was inhabited, in the
time of Ptolemy, by the Modomasticse; and by the Ganan-
dadopydnse, the Isatichee, and Zuthi, towards Seistan.5 In
addition to the river Bagrada,6 probably the Div-Rud, the
islands of Hormuz, .Tyrina, &c., and the places already
1 Nearchus says, upwards of 800 stadia, which, at 1 1 1 Ij to a degree,
would give 43 geographical miles.
* Lieutenant Kempthome.—Vol. V. Part II., p. 211, of the Royal Geographical
Journal.
3 Called Kyen, or Kaey, and Gis, by the inhabitants.
4 Horsburgh.
5 Ptolemy, book VI., chap. vi. « Ibid., chap. viii.