'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.' [‎615] (708/905)

CHAP. XXIII.]
PROPER.
615
In the second of the other two districts (Abybda) are Aryn,
Abearis, and Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Yaoud ; in the first (Senhan) are Harradja
and Howra; and in another (Wadaa), stretching southward
of both, are Thakran and Keradh.
The valley of Nejran extends between almost inaccessible Valley of Nej-
mountains from the frontiers of the last eastward, almost to ran *
those of Ahkaf, and is well watered. The mountains are
covered with trees, and the intervening wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. is one garden,
being well cultivated by the tribe of A1 Muhammed; it produces
an abundance of dates and fine raisins, which are sent all over
Yemen; it affords besides, excellent pasture, and its breeds of
camels and horses are in high repute throughout Arabia. 1 It-
contains the town of Hamdan, which is well supplied with
water, and is situated 10 days from Sana and 30 days from
Mekkah, 2 Its principal village, Nejran, has become cele
brated in Muslim history on account of a second K'abah,
which Abd-el-Modan wished to place above that of Mekkah.
Here reside the Beni-Yam, an ancient tribe, amongst whom
an extraordinary custom prevails: when a man of this com
munity undertakes a journey, he sends his wife to the house
of a friend, who, it is understood, must, in all respects, supply
the husband's place, and restore the lady on his return.
Sahan, the succeeding district, has Jenhan and Wadaa onsahan.
the north, Haschid-el-Bekil on the south, and stretches from
the great chain eastward towards the desert of Ahkaf. It
contains Roghassa, Dohyan, Jam, Amassia, and Saade, or
Sa'det, the capital. The last is 44 farsangs north of San a,
and 20 days from the K'abah, and is celebrated for the pre
paration of ox and kid leather. 3 The plains eastward are
occupied by the Kohlan Bedawms.
Adjoining this district is that of Kobail, or Haschid-el- Kobaii.
Bekil, which extends southward between Belad-el-J6f and
the great range of mountains, till it meets the territory oi
Sana. It is more mountainous than Sahan, being broken
1 Niehbuhr's Travels, vol. II., p. 59; Heron's translation.
2 Translated from Arabic MS. of the Kamurs, in the British Museum, by
Dr. A. Sprenger.
8 Arabic Geo. MS., translated by Dr. Sprenger.