about 200 bagalás trade to the shores of India, Africa, and
those of the two gulfs.1
The country inwards is uninteresting and almost desert as
far as the camp of the Bení-Abú-Alí, and the ruined fort
which was destroyed by the troops under Sir Lionel Smith, in
1820. Scarcely eight miles north-westward are the Beni-Abu-
Hasán tribe, whose huts are placed beneath the foliage of
date and other trees at the commencement of Wadi Beth a.
This fine valley takes a north-westerly direction to Bedi ah ;
and, owing to the kánats, which convey water thither from
a distance often exceeding five miles, it has the most luxuriant
vegetation. The almond, fig, orange, lime, and date trees
attain perfection, amidst stately walnut-trees ;2 and every kind
of fruit, grain and vegetable common to India, Persia and
Arabia, is to be found in the oasis of Bedi’ah.3
The district of ’Omán begins at this place, and several cultivated
spots occur at intervals from thence to Ibrah, an old
town with castellated houses, situated 22 miles N. 42° W. of
Bedi’ah. Wádí Bethá continues in a north-western direction
to Semmed, another fertile spot; and scarcely 25 miles W . S.W.
of the latter is Minna. This town is situated amidst lofty
almond, citron, and orange trees, and is surrounded by fields
of corn and sugar-cane stretching for miles,4 whilst the valleys
of Jebel to the northward produce stately chestnut-trees. The
district extends along the southern slope of the latter range
to Makinyát, and again on the opposite side along the coast
to the province of Ja'ilán; it contains a remarkable tribe, the
Beni Rujám, an irascible, slothful and immoral race, given to
idleness and addicted to an immoderate use of wine at their
meals.5 There are a few islands near the coast, amongst which
may be noticed Burka and two other islets to the north-west
of Sib; also Fahil island, close to Maskat. The latter town,
which is also called Meskiet, is situated at the eastern side of
an inlet forming an inner and an outer cove; which, although
partially exposed to the north-west winds, are sufficiently shel1
Lieutenant Wellsted, vol. V II., p. 104, of the Royal Geographical Journal.
8 Ibid., p. 107. 3 Lieutenant Wellsted’s Travels, vol. I., p. 308.
4 Ibid. 5 Ibid., p. 142-144.
tered by the surrounding rocky hills to form an excellent har-
boqr; this inlet is admirably suited to make the capital of
Oman the first emporium of Arabian commerce, if it be not so
already. At the eastern extremity of the inner cove there is
a narrow gorge, and beyond it a winding pass, leading between
high precipitous rocks, first to some flourishing gardens and
from thence into the interior of the peninsula.
Nearly the whole of the city lies westward of the opening
in question. The streets are dirty, confined as to space, and
much obstructed by goods, porters, &c., and the buildings are
of a very mixed description ; cupolas, minarehs, palaces, the
residence of the governor, and other substantial edifices, being
in the midst of mere huts, constructed with palm branches,
and covered with the leaves of that useful tree. But on the
whole the effect is good and striking, as the houses rise in terraces
along the rocky slopes, whose dark, craggy and frowning
summits are crowned with forts connected by crenellated
walls, supported by numerous batteries defending the harbour.
Seated in another cove a little way to the N.W. is Muttra,
or Matarah, which is a considerable town, almost entirely a
place of business, and containing more well-built houses than
Maskat. At intervals of a mile, or a mile and a half, there
are three other coves: the first called Kalehat, with a village
dependent upon Matarah ; the two others also have each a village
; and all the three villages are about the same size. The
decided encouragement given to trade by the present distinguished
and liberal imam has peopled the town with a mixed
race, descended from Arabs, Persians, Kurds, Syrians, Indians,
Afghans and Baluches, in all about 60,000 souls, who have
become acclimatized in a place which is almost invariably
fatal to Europeans.' The inhabitants manufacture sugar,
ulwah, some cloaks and coarse cloths ; but commercial pursuits
are the principal occupations.2 The chief exports are dates,
madder,3 sharks’ fins (sent to China), and salt fish, which are
1 The thermometer stood at 106° in the shade at 5 p . m . , 10th April.—-
Lieutenant Wellsted, vol. I., p. 318.
8 Ibid., vol. VII., p. 103, of the Royal Geographical Journal.
3 Rubia tinctorum of Linnseus.