'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.' [‎613] (706/905)

CHAP. XXIII.]
MOKHi.
613
The population amounts to about 8,000 souls, and it has, in
addition to the export trade in coffee, wax, gums, frankincense,
&c., considerable imports of Indian piece goods, English
shawls, sugar, and spices. 1
At 25 miles southward, passing through a barren sandy Town of Zebid.
country, is the small village and ruined harbour of Galefka,
once the port of Zebid, and at no very remote period a flou
rishing town. 2 From hence the distance is 25 miles, passing
some hamlets and the beautiful valley of El Mahad, where
indigo is largely cultivated, to Zebid, the capital of Tehameh.
The city is close to one of the finest and best-watered valleys
in the district; but although interesting from its aqueduct,
its numerous mosques, kubbets, &c., it has little more than
the shadow of the splendor which, as a royal residence, it
once possessed. It is, however, still distinguished for its
academy, in which the modern sciences of Arabia are culti
vated by the youth of Tehameh and Yemen; it is, besides,
the seat of a dola, a mufti, and a kadi, 3
The town is situated in a plain, half a day's journey from
the mountains on the eastern, and at the same distance from
the sea on the western side, amidst numerous gardens watered
by an aqueduct; and here the merchants assemble for trade
from the Hijaz, Abyssinia, Upper Egypt, and 'Irak. 4
The tract southward of the town along the river Zebid, is
well irrigated by canals supported by earthen dikes, but it is
chiefly dry and sandy from thence to Mokha; on the way to
the latter is the extensive village of Manschid, with others of
smaller size, at one of which there are salt works. 5
Almost at the southern extremity of the territory is Mokha, Town of
which, although much decayed, is still the principal place of 0 a '
trade. There is a harbour and roadstead, defended on each
side by a castle mounting a few guns. The town is sur
rounded by walls and towers; the houses are of stone, and
1 Mr. Cruttenden, I.N., vol. VIII., p. 272, of the Royal Geo. Journal.
2 Arabic Geo. MS., translated by Aloys Sprenger, M.D.
3 Niehbuhr's Travels in Arabia, vol. I., p. 284.
4 Edrisi, tome V., p. 47, Recueil, &c.
9 Niehbuhr's Travels, vol. L, p. 315.