'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎567] (658/905)

CHAP. XXII.J MINERALS AND METALS.
567
and runs east by north. One of its branches passes along the Mountains
western side of Palmyra, whilst the other, the present boun- aboutPalm y ra -
dary of Arabia on the north, skirts the eastern side of the
great valley plain in which that city stood : the plain continues
to be thus enclosed as far as the town of Zelebi. Here the
chain is broken by the river Euphrates ; but, as we have seen,
it is renewed beyond the river, and takes the direction of
Sinjar. 1 These mountains gradually, from their commence
ment, become more elevated till they enclose Palmyra, when
they are apparently at the highest, having probably an eleva-
vation of 2000 feet above the plain; they present to the view
great masses of limestone and gypsum, and have a more regular
outline than is usual with such rocks.
Of precious stones, Arabia has the topaz, the onyx, and a Precious stones
stone which is not found any where else, and is called yemanior and rnetals '
akil. 2 The agate is found near Mocha; emeralds, in the
Hijar; beryls and cornelians near Sana and Aden ; 3 malachite
in the cavern of Beni Salem; also jasper, amethysts, and
turquoises, in the environs of the village of Safwa, about three
days' journey from Medina. Diamonds, 4 the sardonyx, 5 and
the topaz, 6 were obtained from this country in former times.
Of metals, silver, iron, lead, and copper, 7 are met with in dif
ferent parts of Arabia; and the last, recently in 'Oman. 8 Gold
is mentioned by the ancient writers; and in all probability it
will be found when the country is better explored, but it is
not known to exist in Arabia at present. 9 Bitumen is obtained
in Arabia Petrsea; and in Arabia Deserta, lignite coal. 10
At the northern extremity of the Dead Sea is found the stink-stone,
stink-stone, whose combustible properties are ascribed by the
1 See above, p. 48.
4 Niehbuhr, Beschreibung des von Arabien, p. 142.
3 Niehbuhr, vol. L, p. 362. 4 Pliny, XXXVIL, xxiii.
5 Pliny, XXXVII., xv. 6 Ibid., VL, cap. xxxiv.
i Niehbuhr, p. 142. 8 Lieut. Wellsted, vol. I., pp. 112,113.
9 Niehbuhr, p. 142.
10 It is understood that a gray coal is found a little way inwards from the
river, in the line between Deir and Damascus. We did not, however, actually
find it ourselves; but a letter was received on the subject from Ibrahim Pashd,
and the Arabs described it particularly.