'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.' [‎602] (695/905)

602
MEKKAH. [CHAP. XXIII.
. nhimdance of its products causes it to be considered as one
One portion. Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Jemmoum, 18
low OTOund, abounding in springs and wells and extending
four or five honrs in an easterly direction. More westward
it is but partially cultivated, and it presents a plain of several
miles in extent, covered with shrubs, having elevated ground
or low barren bills on each side. In different placesAe name
varies but the whole is commonly designated El Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. .
products are dates, wheat, barley, &c.; but it is
larly remarkable for its numerous henna-trees wh^efiowe^s
are so much sought as a dye for the palms of the hands, the
soles of the feet, and the nails of both.
The remainder of the Haj route from thence to Mekkahis
chiefly through valleys of firm sand, between raJsoMow
hills bearing shrubs and stunted acacias, 1 as far as the bleak
and rocky district enclosing the holy dty itself, the sea of A
grand sherifat. the capital of Arabia, and m a religious point
of view of all Islaniism. .
ne^of Mekkah has as many as ^rRe^n of
M.kk.h. Om-el-Kora (Mother of Towns), Belad -el-Ameyn (Keg
the Faithful) The city is chiefly situated m the wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. of the
same^name, Ihich is also called Bekka, a -row ^dy valUy
which runs north and south, but inclines towards the N.W^
at the latter extremity of the town. The city, with thee
ception of three castellated buildings and a few watch-towers,
is defenceless. Around are several sandy "
separated from the desert by a low barren chain of hills trom
200 to 500 feet in height, the most elevated part of which
When compared with other places m the east, Mekkah may
be considered handsome. The houses are built of stoWJ, usu-
allv three stories high, with terraced roofs surrounded by open
ally tnree st g . „ ^o^rlit.mn of numerous
TOrapct walls, and having the unusual addition of numerous
windows, shaded by lightly formed reed blinds, the aspect is
more European than oriental, especially as the stree ^ ir ^ y f
wide, in order to afford the necessary space for an addition ot
' Burckhardt's Travels in Arabia, vol. II., p. 89.
•Ibid., p. 186-189. Ibid., vol. I., p. 190.